Guilt and overindulging

So a few of my friends have recently expressed guilt over their past indulgences in sweets, comfort foods, booze or sexual activities (okay the first one was mine). Remember this: it matters less about what you are indulging in or why and matters more about how we feel afterward. What pulls us into a pit of despair is our guilt about how we feel about what we have done...not the cake at the bottom of our belly or the empty wine bottles.

I'm not saying to not work on why we are over-enjoying (I'll get to that in another blog), but first let's talk more about guilt.

Guilt vs Shame

Let me make something clear: guilt is about "what you did"; shame is about "who you are."
Also, there is healthy guilt and unhealthy guilt as well as healthy shame and unhealthy shame.
And guilt can lead to shame. In John Bradshaw's book, "The Shame That Binds," he states, "Healthy shame is an emotion which signals us about our limits. Like all emotions healthy shame is an energy-in-motion. Like all emotions it moves us to get our basic needs met."
I believe the same could be said about guilt.

Healthy guilt causes us to consider not doing something again, or at least that is how it is supposed to work. But it is a cycle we experience over and over. It seems we never remember that feeling and we are off again in the "land of overindulgence." But, what if when we are feeling guilty, we could just forgive ourselves...just give ourselves permission to enjoy "a little something" from time to time, to partake in the pleasure (as long as they are not coming from a position of harm) without the guilt. I bet you would find that if you usually eat a chocolate bar and your face breaks out, it is the guilt that is causes the break out, not the chocolate. Next time you have a desire for something sweet, enjoy it in moderation and with awareness.

Have you heard of those frozen guilt-free deserts, that manufacturer/marketer was on to something.....now, where are my M&Ms?

Michael Jackson Died Of A Broken Heart.

Michael Jackson is brilliant. I admire him and his creative process. Unfortunately Michael was also a star and everything he ever did was brought out in public to be judged. He was also troubled and could never get ahead of it. I heard a few people say that now he is gone the children are safer...do you really think so? Let's remember him for his talent and the good he did for so many and for all the songs that still play on in our heads.

Perhaps Michael died of a broken heart, perhaps all he wanted to do was make music to make others happy. To free his spirit now, consider releasing him from our judgment of him, let's forgive him for anything he did consciously or unconsciously to hurt or offend and in doing so we can forgive ourselves for anything we've done to hurt him or others.

Forgiveness has tremendous power, even in death. His heart cried out: Let's free Michael to sing from his heart without judgment. Let him know he made a difference. Peace to you dear brother.

Awakening Your Senses in Belize

Caving in Belize.

Each day of the tour our guests will experience one of the five senses in an extraordinary way. On Friday, when we tour the cave, we will explore the sense of touch. And bring awareness to mind of how the rocks feel, how the ground feels under our bare feet, how the dampness or coolness of the cave feels...expanding that into an emotional feeling and feeling of appreciation for our bodies, ourselves and others.

Travel with us to Belize October 22-27 and experience the sense of touch in a completely new way that will lead you to discover a new part of yourself.

$1999 (includes airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, tour fees and most meals), $2199 after 6/30/09, so send you $100 deposit today. Contact Dawn Heyl at dawnheylskincare@tx.rr.com


Submitted by c0-host for the tour, Valerie Grimes.

Date Set for Discover Belize. Rediscover Yourself Trip.

I am ecstatic about being a “tour buddy” for a group who wants to expand their experiences with the Maya peoples of Central America, as Belize is such a diverse country. We will visit the famed ruins and travel back to ancient times exploring breath-taking caves, and we will spend a day with local medicine woman, Dr. Rosita Arvigo, to learn about the healing plants of the rain forest and to experience a Maya ritual bath which is an integral and revered part of indigenous Maya medical practices and village life. Adults and children are regularly bathed in water infused with sacred plants and prayers to ensure their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being, and you can experience this with us first hand! This trip will be five unforgettable days of realizing and becoming all that you are with your five senses being tantalized to the max!

Don’t miss this life changing experience.

Dawn Heyl
Your Trip Host
October 22-27, 2009, departs from DFW Airport.
For more info: dawnheylskincare@tx.rr.com

Instructions for Life

Today I was cleaning my house and the following information on how to best take advantage of our human experience came to me. Perhaps you can consider applying them to your own life.
They are amazingly simple, yet extremely complex:

1. Forgive Others/Self
   
2. Forget
3. Love
4. Peace
5. Heaven

The period between phases 2 and 3 can be quite long, sometimes taking a lifetime or lifetimes to overcome. One of the reasons I feel this way is because our ego mind has to make everything and everyone fit into a category. Something has to be black or white; or someone has to be right or wrong. This dualistic way of thought creates many problems in our lives preventing us from reaching steps to true peace and beyond. More later.
I'll end today with this quote, from a 17th century poet:

George Herbert

He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which
he himself must pass if he would ever reach heaven;
for everyone has need to be forgiven.