I received an email from a close friend musing over the part that “guilt” plays in making people feel responsible for their fair share. When writing I use the term “guilt” as if it’s a totally “bad thing”. But it’s not. I even feel guilty just prejudging the innocent word. I think of guilt as compared to electricity. A small amount might be a “good thing” to warm your food or light your home. But too much of that “good thing” could kill you. As too with guilt. When that small pang eats at your stomach it may cause you stop and reflect on the meaning of this feeling and keep you from taking that second piece of chocolate cake. Growing up Catholic those stabs of “guilt” kept me on the straight and narrow path of being a “good girl”. Being immature the needed reflection was missing and those small pangs of guilt eventually grew into “analysis paralysis”. I froze in fear of disappointing those in authority, feeling guilty of not meeting their expectations. Like the advertising pitch in the 60’s for the hair product, Brylcream, maybe “a little dab will do you”. Do kids have guilt today?
