Guilt is not only emotion. In fact, to call guilt "a feeling" makes it impossible to change. You see, as a feeling guilt does not occur without an associated cognition. The thought that something could or should have happened differently is what activates guilt. And, thoughts can be changed. The idea that a past event could have or should have been different is what makes guilt totally invalid. How can a past be changed? The idea that what is known now COULD have been known back then is the loop that creates the emotional chaos, hidden in "guilt". Could and should are helpful in the future. In the past ... it is the cognition of guilt, invalid as it is, that has to be changed.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sharon Garcia, Unsplash.com
