Comments on: Does Being GUTSY Activate Being GUILTY?

By: Lora Cain

Lora Cain — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:05:14 +0000

It’s hard to say. It depends on the woman. The guilt has been so much that women have to choose which lifestyle they prefer. There’s been some alternatives, like running a home based business so you can be a better mother (being around more often), but it’s not one size fits all.

By: Sylvia Lafair

Sylvia Lafair — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:33:29 +0000

P.S. Hey you give a super example of turning guilt on its heels. Fortunately we now have “emotional technology” to make changes. One that I will be exploring in our GUTSY WOMEN WEEK-END in May concerns the messages from our mothers that have been handed to us on a subconscious level. These are tough to erase, yet it is possible and guilt then no longer stays so potent in our DNA.

By: Sylvia Lafair

Sylvia Lafair — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:27:33 +0000

Debra, thanks for the comment. I really believe that if we become more aware of new partnership possibilities with men we can shrink guilt to a minimum. Guilt and stress are bedfellows; so let’s replace guilt with creative energy to help each other find a better balance. It really means rethinking even the purpose of why we work and how we help each other both at home and work. Let’s keep the dialogue going!!

By: Debra Gaynor

Debra Gaynor — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:53:15 +0000

Will we ever really say goodbye to guilt? I WANT to do well in my career and I WANT to be a good wife and mother. And that means, by default, that when I’m doing one, I’m not doing the other. Being guilty has been a burden, but it’s also had the advantage of making me more present in either situation. When I’m at work, I’m focused on doing my job well and efficiently. When I’m home, I leave the job behind (ok, that’s a lie, but at least I try to) and enjoy my family. I don’t think guilt is necessarily a bad thing. Maybe men would be better if THEY felt some of the guilt more often.

By: P.S. Jones

P.S. Jones — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:26:50 +0000

Guilt is such a wasted emotion. Yet, it’s something we’re ingrained to feel about everything. I just don’t think men are taught to feel as guilty about life choices as we are. And I also think that no matter what route you choose, you’ll find a way to feel guilty about it.

How do I deal? I recognize when I’m feeling guilty and I give myself room to feel that. Then I ask myself, “Is there something I can do about this? Is there something I’m doing that I could be doing better?” And if there’s not, I tell myself to stop trying to make myself feel bad about crap. Does it always work? Nope. It’s not a perfect system. But it’s better than the alternative so it’s working for now.