Guilt and shame are probably a good emotion to feel - to a point. What if we didn't feel guilty? Then we would probably not have any kind of moral compass to help guide us through life. And that's probably who the criminals are in this world - people who have no feelings of guilt. Do you feel guilty?

But, why do we hold on to our guilt? Are we still participating in actions that we feel guilty about? Then, guilt is probably useful. It should help us to avoid actions that don't adhere to our own values. Does guilt and shame have you in bondage?

But, what if we're not doing the actions that we're carrying guilt around for? What is the practical use of carrying that guilt around? Isn't the past the past? What's done is done? Why can't we let go? Doesn't the past affect the present? Is your past affecting you now? We cannot go back and change what we have done. We also cannot live in guilt and shame for the mistakes we have made. YOU have to be the one to let it go. Are you ready to do that?

Sometimes I think I may be pursuing a path of self-gratification by holding on to my guilt. I know that doesn't make sense but if you think about it a bit, it keeps my attentions focused on ME. And if I'm focused on me, my goodness, isn't that the most important thing in the world??? Me! You are pretty important. You have to be with yourself all the time! There is no escape from our own self. Shouldn't we take care of SELF? If SELF is not well, SELF cannot help others.

What if I tried to change my focus off of me? What if I took a look around? What if I threw myself into doing good for others? What if I engaged in some selfless acts towards people in need? What if I gave instead of took? I "take" when I'm so self-absorbed. Would this be called avoidance or distraction? Are you avoiding something?

So, if I think about others instead of myself, maybe I'll forget my misdeeds and they will become part of a forgotten story. A story that held import in its time but is no longer relevant. Story? We never forget our story. You either heal from it, or you carry the guilt and shame with you forever. It eats away at you. It destroys you from the inside out. Decay? Rotten to the core? That is what happens when we try to ignore our story.

What if we believed we could change the story? We can't. Can we not choose to be who we want to be? Yes, you can. But you still have to deal with yourself no matter who you are. Must the past imprison us forever? No. Who has the keys to unlock the doors of bondage? You do. You are the only one who can set yourself free.