![\"OprahLifeClassGuilt\"](\"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/OprahLifeClassGuilt.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Here’s the thing, I don\u2019t really suffer from guilt, so I asked myself, why? What am I doing differently? It\u2019s not that I don\u2019t feel torn working late while my children yell down to say goodnight, but as I try to finish that one last thing, rush upstairs to find them fast asleep, what I feel underneath my disappointment is a genuine sadness<\/strong> I missed the moment. I just don’t beat myself up.<\/p>\n I accept some days won\u2019t work out the way I want, and next time that ‘growing pain<\/strong>‘ will push me towards making those every day moments happen.<\/p>\n I’ve trained my thoughts to deal with disappointment, and any hurt loved ones feel where I don\u2019t allow my self-judging voice to creep in and sabotage my efforts.<\/p>\n Our lives are filled with struggle – challenges, opportunities, and heartaches creating ups and downs. Along the journey I give myself the opportunity to learn, grow, expand where I’m constantly creating mostly ups by intentionally living my values to the best of my ability. That’s all I can do. Let go, and choose how I respond<\/strong> to life.<\/p>\n Sure I make mistakes, but I don\u2019t hold regret because I\u2019ve learned to take responsibility<\/strong> for the choices I make without my ego coming in to torment me with \u2018you should have<\/strong>\u2026\u2019 accompanied by blame, and punishment. I discovered how to love myself unconditionally – give to myself so I can give back to others. I stopped making myself wrong.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Gilbert shares this idea in her wise, and funny \u00a0talk<\/a>\u00a0on self-forgiveness.<\/p>\n I believe we all deserve to be loved<\/strong>, and it starts with self-love<\/strong>. Not selfishness but kindness.\u00a0 Not sacrificing, but giving. Not pleasing others, but choosing to be authentic.Not\u00a0intentionally disappointing others, but trusting your inner voice even if someone feels hurt. Make amends, apologize if necessary, and let go.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a destructive story<\/strong> we can believe that guilt is somehow \u2018good\u2019 for us. It keeps us in check to do the ‘right thing’. Not true. This thinking gives our ego permission to use guilt to condemn, punish, and abandon ourselves, keeping us stuck in shame, disappointment and regret<\/strong>. \u00a0Let go of your ego\u2019s judgment of making you wrong, listening instead to the compassionate voice within you, and you will find the strength to forgive yourself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The pain of any mistake you later regret WAS the punishment<\/strong> that is now in the PAST<\/strong> so stop punishing yourself NOW<\/strong>. Take this opportunity to see the gift, learn the lesson, get more clarity on your values, and move on with more courage, strength, and determination to become the person you already are<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Oakville & GTA friends – please join me for my new coaching series on Living Guilt-Free, Finding Forgiveness, and Speaking Your Truth. See here<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n P.S.\u00a0My first National tv appearance on Oprah’s new “Life Story Project” airs in Canada on Wednesday February 6th at 9:30 pm EST where I share my personal story of “loyalty and betrayal” that led to my message of living ‘judgment-free’.<\/p>\n