Guilt

[Kelly Youngberg]

Howdy everyone...I haven't been around for a while, but I see a few familiar faces here and there.

Tonight I come to you with a special request, one that this community is specially equipped to handle.

First, I direct your attention to a post on my blog: #2: Guilt, where you can read the background.

Second, I request your assistance in expanding this list. You may prefer to leave an anonymous (or not) comment on the post, or you may wish to leave a comment here. It's up to you; I'll be checking both places.

You're welcome to include your own personal experiences as you describe something that made you feel guilty. However, I ask that you do not comment on why someone else should or should not feel guilty about something; I don't want this to devolve into something I'm not prepared to handle.

Thank you for your participation.

[Bravus]

Hi Kelly, great to see you, it's been a while.

One instance in which I felt guilt was when I wrote a note to the principal of the school I was teaching at, while I was quite angry with a certain student, saying 'why do we need this student in our school?' The principal later came and asked me whether he could show the note to the boy's mother, and I should have said

'No', but I was distracted and a bit intimidated by the principal and I agreed. I think it caused hurt to that mother and son that was unfair, and I wish I could take it back.

[Bravus]

...and just now, when I saw the 4 empty Diet Coke bottles in my office bin.

It's the empty bottles, not the Diet Coke, mind.

[rush4hire]

When I first joined this church, in '96, I said an untactful thing to someone. There was a woman that wore as much make-up as a clown. I told her about what I learned when I worked at a fast-food place. Every day, we dumped buckets of grease into a big container out back. I asked about this grease. I assumed it went to the dog food factory, so that was my first guess. The guy told me the grease was gathered up by a truck from the cosmetics factory. That's what they use to make the make-up that women put on their face! That old nasty grease from all those burgers, sausage, bacon, and everything else!

So I told the story to the lady.

I don't know. Maybe it was the right thing to share that information, and maybe not. She would understand I was new in the faith, right? Who knows the long-term results? Maybe it hardened her heart, or just hurt her. I can't decide for certain. All I know is I remember her sad face, because it seemed like I was reproving her. She kinda looked hurt, and embarrassed. I know she didn't immediately stop wearing make-up.

I guess, I just assumed she'd appreciate being informed about that.

I just can't get that sad face out of my mind, to this day. I've learned to be more tactful since then, so I try to forgive myself, and move on. The scars remain, though.

[Woody]

Quote:

I've learned to be more tactful since then

That would be a good thing.