Shame, Guilt, and Self-Criticism

You are a Badass Deck, by Jen Sincero — It’s time to get mighty clear about what makes you happy and what makes you feel the most alive, and then create it instead of pretending you can’t have it.

The cards in this deck were created from a book You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.

What makes me happy

this may be sappy

my grandchildren

and great-grandchildren

our youth and our old people

even artistic tradespeople

if I wasn't allergic it would be my critters

I sure know that it is a lot of other writers

if I still fished it would be fishing

sometimes it is when we are dishing

if I still downhill skied it would be that

all of these things and more are where I'm at

Making me happy as I think about these and more

I can't write them all down for you, that's for shore!

Okay, I know it is sure, but rhyming is a happy thing

for me too, so what can I say but forgive me for this zing

FORGIVE YOURSELF - You have screwed up in the past. You will screw up again. Get clear on this one truth: guilt, shame, and self-criticism are some of the most destructive forces in your life, which is why forgiving yourself is one of the most powerful. Repeat the following over and over: Holding on to my bad feelings about this is doing nothing but harming me, and everyone else, and preventing me from enjoying my life fully. I am an awesome person. I choose to enjoy my life. I choose to let this go. Jen Sincero

I'm pretty clear that no one is perfect.

I am human and aim to be strict

about not screwing up again

but it happens most days with my pen

Guilt is something I have done

shame is about me, I'm the bad one.

Self-criticism is when I say what would my culture

say, and then say stop, reach up, and say pluck you vulture!

Then I will say what Jen says to say:

I am an awesome person. I choose to enjoy my life. I choose to let this go.

~~

Talk to strangers. We're all family on this planet. Jen Sincero

I have been saying this year that I talk to everyone. Now, everyone doesn't talk to me but most people do. Some will even get into a conversation with me and it will make me or them late for another appointment.

I have been known to make another person jealous of the conversation I am in with their significant other or best friend. I don't ever mean for that to happen but it has a time or two.

So, I don't know if it is being old, or just that I am interested in my fellow man. Male or female. Child or teen and color doesn't matter. Nothing matters. I am simply interested in having the conversation.

In talking with my husband I told him that if I stop counseling, I just may start to counsel him. I dread that and feel like I need to continue to do some work outside of our marriage for just as long as I can.

Talking to others may give me what I need without counseling. That is okay with me. I get what I need and feel good about what just happened without feeling obligated to continue the relationship or counsel anyone.

In the culture I was socialized in the term we are all related is common with our people. I grew up with this and believe this.