Musing for the Day: Guilt

After experiencing a major flood in our basement, we lost the majority of our personal items. But what did survive was a journal I wrote back in 2009. It contained random musings on trying to live a happier and healthier life. I figured if this one book made it to the surface of my despair maybe it was now my obligation to breathe some life into it and share. Here is one of these entries.

What actually drives guilt? And why does guilt run so rampant in some people while not existing at all in others? Is guilt something we learn as a child or is it something that is developed later?

I think as a society - some level of guilt is required as without it, there is no conscience or sense of what's right or wrong. The challenge is to have the appropriate amount of guilt and to actually then do something about it.

It's a waste of brain space to feel guilty but never turn that guilt into some form of action. At that point it's served zero purpose.

For example, to feel some guilt about the homeless situation potentially reflects the feeling that you feel badly for someone's situation in life compared to your own. To do nothing, just allows the guilt to continue or have had no effect. To take action - even something small in nature - calms the guilt and could actually benefit many people.

If you feel guilt it's likely there for a reason.

So do something about it - acknowledge it, action it in some way or else it's just been a waste of time, energy and conscience.