When we do something we regret, or when we neglect to do something we wish we had done, we may feel guilt. Guilt can be constructive if it’s instructive — that is, if it teaches us who we want to be, and how we want to rectify a situation. But if it persists continually or morphs into shame, it’s a false story.
Guilt says, “I’ve done something wrong.”
Shame says, “There’s something wrong with me.”
And this shame storyline is always a false story.
Because here’s the paradoxical thing about shame —
As a feeling, it is real.
As a reality, it is untrue.
There has never been a life chapter, a day, or even a moment when we were not worth love and belonging.
Anything that says otherwise — a person, a family, a community, or an internal belief — is truly a false story.
Smuggling Grace 