Guilt-free Living

In the book, Choosing ME Before WE: Every Woman's Guide to Life and Love (2009) author Christine Arylo recommends that to find inner peace, we must give up the "GO." Or at least two words that start with “G” and “O.”

The G word is Guilt. Think of the many decisions we make every minute that leave us feeling guilty. “Oh, I shouldn’t have said ‘yes’ to that donut, I’m on a diet.” “I should have said ‘no’ to the vacation, we're trying to save money." Instead, commit to your decision because it is truly what you want, and then GO with the decision. As it says in Matthew’s gospel, “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No;’ anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

The second step is to give up “O” for obligation. The decision to visit your great aunt Jane may appear compassionate, but if you seethe your way through the visit, no one is served. Responsibility, obligation’s first cousin, is a necessary action. But doing because “you’re supposed to” isn’t taking responsibility for your life. It’s allowing others to take responsibility for you. As Erica Jong says: "Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame."

Instead take the attitude of choice. Choose to visit great aunt Jane or not. Eat the donut. Or not. Go on vacation. Or not. Be happy with the decision and you won’t have to GO anywhere -- peace will find you.