*October 4th*

I have to remember that one important reason I sometimes make bad decisions in what I say or do, is because of the guilt I carry for other wrongs I have done in the past. Also, it is good for me to recall that other people can also be carrying guilt inside them in similar ways that I do. I wish to remember to love my family, but I cannot allow myself to be responsible for their, or any other person's, burden of guilt. Because suppressed feelings of guilt can be a great burden in life, knowing this can help me understand and have increasing compassion for others. This way, I can more easily choose to not hold resentment and anger day by day in my life."

Another person may say: "I wish I could believe that! When my family member gets through telling me off, I feel as though the devil were sitting on my back with fifty pound lead weight in each pocket!"

Today's Reminder
There is no need for me to accept blame for another person's guilt ridden actions. When I am tempted to do so, I will deal with my own shortcomings. If I do this honestly, the change in me will be reflected in every person whose life touches mine.

"Let me weigh my misdeeds on an honest scale and make restitution as well as I can. But let not the scale be unbalanced by the weight of what others have done."

[Taken and fashioned from "One Day At A Time In Al-Anon"
for general family relationships by Jim Hogue, MA, MFTI]