Life is mostly about one thing. 

Juggling. 

You are given three balls to juggle-the past, the present, and the future. Imagine you took one of those balls, the "past" ball, and put it in the palm of your hand. Ignoring the other two balls, you hold the "past" ball at eye-level. You become so focused that you fall into a trance. Everything else in your life begins to seem less important. The "past" ball has all of your attention. After awhile you wonder whether you have control over the ball, or does it have control over you? 

Guilt is the strongest thing that binds you to your past. Guilt is a faceless presence who has been allowed to have a voice. That voice is constantly questioning, criticizing, and promising you that if you stay within your limitations and "be good" then you won't make a mistake. And if you don't make a mistake, you won't be punished. 

When it comes to punishing, whether you're doing it to yourself or someone falsely decides they have the right to punish you, guilt is the control used to keep you enslaved to shame. It manipulates you into thinking you are unworthy. 

Don't think of the choices you have made as "bad" or "good". Be more gentle with yourself. Think of your choices as "wise" or "unwise". If you allow guilt to control your life, you might as well be handcuffed to a chair. Guilt dissolves the ability to appreciate your life because it takes away your freedom. You deserve so much more than that.

THE GUILT CYCLE When you make a mistake, you feel guilty. Guilt persuades you to punish yourself. After the punishment you feel bad, and that leads to more punishment. 

"I can't believe you did that!" screams a father to a child. "Go to your room and don't come out until I say you can!" 

You are the child. Guilt is the stern parent. You walk into your room impaired by humiliation and shame. You withdraw from your life and from your relationships. Meanwhile, the problem which brought you to your room is never really understood. Nor is it healed or forgiven. 

Guilt forces you to judge yourself. When you judge yourself, chances are you judge other people. Let's turn that statement around. 

The next time someone judges you remember where their words are coming from. It's not really you they are disapproving. It's the part of themselves ruled by guilt that has caused them to react as they have. 

GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO LIVE!!!! 

One of the biggest lies we are fed is the concept of perfection. Either you have embraced the need to be perfect, or someone has pressured you into feeling that if you want to be loved or accepted you must be perfect. With the quest for perfection comes high expectations. 

Not meeting high expectations leads to frustration...and it leads to guilt. Stop running and running to catch something you were never meant to chase. For once, stop and rest. 

Accept that life is about imperfection Once you give yourself permission to make mistakes and be wrong, you will be less confined and more at ease. You don't need to avoid doing "wrong things". Mistakes have a way of showing you what is RIGHT about who you are. 

WHAT REWARDS DO YOU GET FROM GUILT? 

Probably none. 

But there are rewards for overcoming it. 

To do that, you need to: 

-expose the guilt 

-learn the lesson 

-correct the mistake 

-recognize your innocence 

-take a step forward 

Realize you are more aware right now then you were in the past. Start trusting yourself. Have compassion for yourself. 

FINAL THOUGHTS "Whether they are saving lives or revitalizing the spirit, angels remain constant companions and helpers in a harsh world. At this page, you will be able to find almost everything you ever wanted to know about these heavenly hosts," writes Meggan, a MIND MAGIC subscriber, about her homepage. Not only is it inspiring, Meggan thoroughly and intelligently brings awareness to angels and their role in our culture and in our lives. She's put a lot of work into the web site, and it shows. :) I'm recommending Meggan's endeavor because of what it represents. I believe angels are about love and pureness; two of the qualities you are eternally radiating into the world. 

Her URL is: http://www.geocities.com/southbeach/9327 

Until next time...be well.

Forever always,

Wendy