Guilt. That burrowing, rooted grasp on your soul.
Growing up Catholic, I remember debates with my Jewish friends on who held more guilt − the Jews or Catholics.
As if either of us has the exclusive rights on guilt.
Over the years, I’ve been able to loosen the hold of the sticky fingers of guilt.
I no longer have a knee-jerk dose of guilt every time I say No.
What I still struggle with is the guilt I feel when I can’t do what I want to do.
Not required to do − but something I feel a commitment to. Like the following.
- Creative Copy Challenge – my favorite word prompt site that I haven’t visited in weeks
- Blooming Online Relationships – a 30-day challenge of sharing action items – of the 17 published so far, I’ve done 3
Do my cohorts at these sites care? Of course not. But does that stop the guilt? Of course not.
And here I thought I made such progress.
I should be happy. The reason I have been unable to participate is due to a ton of work projects.
As a freelance business writer and sole proprietor, that’s definitely good news.
Just try telling Guilt that.
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Anne Wayman says
Ah, and I understand the Southern Baptists have a similar problem… I don’t much… not any more… self-knowledge and the recognition of how much alike we all are has helped.
hugs
Cathy Miller says
I am nowhere near as bad as I was, Anne. But thing that sneaky guilt creeps in. 😉
Roy A. Ackerman, PhD, EA @ Cerebrations.biz says
Guilt is the battery that drives our engines..
Cathy Miller says
And here I thought it made us sputter, Roy. 😉
Ramiro Rodriguez says
Hi Cathy,
I’m glad you’re well. I had to read your second sentence three times! “That burrowing, rooted grasp on your soul.”
I thought, OMG how does she know what I’ve been going through all my life. Hmmm
Do you know any of my family? LOL
Cathy Miller says
Hey, Ramiro. So good to hear from you! So you share that little Guilt-thing, huh? There’s lots of us out there. LOL! 😉