Often the feelings of shame and guilt
are being created in us by outside forces
that judge, condemn, and deny or keep taboos.
When shaming and guilting are being used
as a weapon,
they can destroy a person’s
self-esteem and self-trust.
Society, religion, school and family systems
use shaming and guilting as methods
to control, deflect or deny
their own responsibilities and standards
not kept or values not met,
but then projected on individuals
who are made into scapegoats.
When shame and guilt feelings
are brought to the surface,
new life can grow.
When kept secrets and taboos are being revealed,
healing can begin.
When light is shone on injustices,
failures, cruelty and abuse by individuals and systems,
shame fades away like the morning fog
giving way to the sun rising.
No, it was not your fault.
Yes, they shamed and guilted you in order not to deal
with their own sin, their betrayal, their manipulation,
their collusion, their denial.
Yes, you will rise out of shame and guilt
like the Phoenix from the ashes.
You will discover your worth, your beauty,
your freedom, your self-esteem and self-trust!
Let the light come in.
and you will be restored to the wholeness
that has been there all along.
Watchwords 