Word Of The Day

GUILT
(noun)

*Feeling responsible or regretful for a perceived offense, real or imaginary. Can be part of the grief reaction.


This can totally be a cultural thing or a familial thing... oh, hi Jewish mom! But guilt is a feeling I know very well... And most of the time it is due to imaginary circumstances. I often feel responsible and regretful for things I actually haven't done, or words I didn't actually say. Go figure why and why so often I feel that way. In any case -  I find guilt to be crippling, imprisoning, and as an old mentor of mine once said: "Guilt is a useless emotion." Some times I even feel guilt for simply existing. 'Existential guilt'. Meaning, I cause harm or offense by simply existing. How USELESS is that!? 
Do YOU relate? Do YOU find guilt to be useless? And if not, what uses does guilt have for you? For me, I think guilt keeps me from making mistakes, because I am already consumed with the emotional consequences of making one. But then again... I am human and do and will make mistakes regardless of my purest intention not too.
So... useful or not - guilt is a HUMAN emotion.