I certainly agree that you can't wake up one morning and just tell yourself "I won't feel guilty anymore!"

I carried a lot of guilt and shame over the things done TO me. The guilt and shame really belonged to the ones who did those things not me. But it took a long to accept the truth about that.

I also felt guilt over the way my mental health issues affected my loved ones. Yet the truth was they chose how to respond to what was happening with me. Would I have felt guilty over having a disease? Mental health issues seemed different, like I somehow had a choice.

A choice? Not hardly. I had no choice over what I endured as a kid. And of course what was done TO me affected my life, emotions, beliefs and attitudes! Where does guilt fit into that reality?

I'm sorry my issues affected my parenting. I'm sorry I couldn't always be what they needed me to be. But seeking healing and wholeness was my way of getting myself so I could be more there for those I love.

As a kid I always assumed everything was my fault, but I'm not a kid anymore. I can look at the situation through adult eyes and see the way it really was.

I hope in seeking the truth of your life you will one day see you don't need to feel guilty.

Judee