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Atrick-Pay said:
McGizmo: Nice words but what do you do with your guilt?.....................
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Guilt? I suspect semantics and a personal sense of the mechanics or system of emotions and responses might keep us from discussing the same entity; guilt.
Is guilt that burden earned from doing wrong in the eyes of others or self? Do you amass more guilt by knowingly doing wrong or is guilt accumulated independent of motivation and awareness; a simple deed done earns X quantum of guilt regardless.
What do I do with my guilt? Well as I have come to understand guilt, I think of it as an emotional and psychic burden; a result of knowingly acting or behaving in a manner that I know or suspect is wrong. I feel totally responsible for my actions and I try to take them based on my sense of "the right thing to do". I decided a long time ago that guilt was totally useless and counterproductive baggage for one to carry or dwell upon. If one acts in accordance of what one deems the correct path, I don't see guilt resulting. Should it come to light that ones actions were wrong, a mistake, or misdirected, I don't think any guilt is earned. Certainly I find my self regretting things I have done as well as having remorse. Dwelling on it changes nothing. Hopefully lessons have been learned and the chance of repeating the error have been diminished.
Ironically, I read a line in a fiction book a few hours ago where a character stated: " Where's the value in forgiveness if one doesn't sin on occassion." This statement was in response to his desire for an other's wife. I have met many folk who think that they can load up on a certain amount of sin or bad deeds and then go into church and be purged by making offerings and asking for forgiveness. If they believe this works then it may in fact *work* for them. I don't buy into this model of the universe and I couldn't convince myself otherwise.
I do strongly suspect that the notion of guilt as well as the *teaching* of guilt has been a tool over the ages used by those in power to control and motivate their minions.
What do I do with my guilt? Well for starters, I do my darndest not to acquire any. If I find my self feeling guilty about something, I address the cause as best I can, accept the consequences and move on; letting the guilt fall by the way side.
It's an interesting topic for me because I found in my own experience that the level of my perceived guilt was in direct proportion to the extent I was trying to behave or live my life as others felt I should and in conflict with what I felt I wanted or needed to do. It seems that the more I live my life by my own standards and rules, the less any guilt comes into the picture. I think this is a real identification of the dynamics of guilt. Unfortunately, if I am a psychopath, I will have no guilt but I will certainly be a blight on society as well! In other words, I think guilt is a result of living by others standards and guidelines instead of ones own. This is no comment on the real need for proper education and learning.
This may come off as harsh but I fear that many folks today have shirked the responsibility of their actions by *buying* into a system where one can purchase insurance to cover ones liability or simply place the accountability on the shoulders of others. I don't buy it and guilt isn't a currency I accept.
If one is true to one's self and hopefully that self is a healthy self that has been exposed to proper nurturing as well as the rules and ethics of the society in question, then I think little guilt, if any, is accumulated. What guilt may arise can be acknowledged and issues resolved.
I'm not sure I understood your question and doubt that I have answered it. I am confident of one thing though, *HE* has a sense of humor, even when we don't.
What do you do with your guilt? If yours is better than mine, want to trade? How about I throw in a flashlight or two? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
Now, aren't you glad you asked me that question???
- Don