Common Reasons we use money to Relieve GUILT:

• Buying flowers for your wife because you feel ashamed for cheating on her.

• Paying for a full-time companion for your elderly mother because you feel like a bad daughter for not wanting to visit her daily.

• Sending a Christmas card to someone because they sent you one instead of mailing it because you would have whether or not they sent you one. 

• Giving to relatives who ask financial help because you feel guilty you have more money than them.

I often tell this story because it reminds me how much I need others to help open my mind and how we can sometimes transform our guilt into something positive.
 

THE STORY

Just before my grandmother passed away, she made me a bright pink and raspberry red throw for the couch. If you know me, you know bright, bold colors are not my style.

Even though I was plagued with guilt, for several years I was unable to even get it out of the bag and use it. I had so much guilt, I discussed this with my life coach at the time and she said  ”If you don’t like it, it wasn’t really made for you. You’re only supposed to deliver it to the rightful owner.”  

Notice how no matter what we do to relieve guilt it never fades away? It’s like a never ending cycle. I’ll explain why.
 
1 Remember, the only way we can feel guilty is to start with making up a rule we think we need to follow and then try to follow it.

Example… Loving mothers stay home when their kids are young.

 
2 We start feeling deprived.

Example… We need more money to pay the bills.

 
3 We then break the rule.

Example… We get a job.