What is Real Guilt?

"I just ate a cookie, and I feel so guilty because I'm on a diet."

"I'd feel guilty about leaving my mother's bedside to go to a move. I should be taking care of her."

"I promised my dad I'd never put him in a nursing home, but I had to. Now I can't stand the guilt."

I hear this on almost a daily basis in my counseling practice. What people are not aware of is the true definition of guilt. Guilt is reserved for those who have done something immoral, unethical or illegal.

People who eat cookies on diets, go to a movie and make hard decisions about their loved ones can feel sad, awkward, uncomfortable, sheepish...anything but guilty! I enjoy seeing looks on clients' faces when the word guilt is removed from their vocabulary!