Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Letting Go....

Wednesday, January 5, 2011.....

During my recent 21 day cleanse, I came to the realization I was spending far too much time avoiding my issues by taking on the issues of others. Part of it was because it may have been easier to tackle an issue belonging to someone else, but I think a great deal of it has to do with Catholic Guilt.

Although I was raised Catholic, I don't believe you have to be Catholic to have this infliction. In fact, I think Catholic Guilt should be renamed to: Life Sucking, Soul Crushing Guilt.

For the past 45 years, I've suffered from a horrible case of Catholic Guilt. Always feeling guilty for not pleasing someone and often putting me in situations where I was doing things I didn't want to out of self-imposed obligations.

No more.

I need to focus on moving forward and going after the goals I want and/or need to be happy. I want my financial freedom back, and for me, this means being far more creative in the cover letters I send off to companies for jobs I know I can do, but aren't necessarily spotlighted of my resume. However, I'm not putting all my focus on the corporate world.

I've also decided it's time to reinvent and take charge of the direction of my life. Do something I love. Take a leap of faith. I've decided to follow one of my passions, and am pursuing training to become a certified Personal Chef.

I started yesterday and openly admit, it's a bit overwhelming and scary to think I'm on the way to starting my own business. There's so much involved to getting the business off the ground, but I've been smart enough to realize I can't do it alone and have reached out for support.

So.....what does establishing my financial freedom have to do with letting of my Catholic Guilt? A lot. Between searching for a job in the corporate world, studying and setting guidelines for getting up and running as a successful small business, I am making sure I satisfy my soul with the spare time I have by doing the things I need to be happy.

If I know in my heart I am doing something that resembles me doing something out of Catholic Guilt, I am not going to do it. I guess some would call this selfish, but you know what, if I don't learn to put me first, I won't move forward.

18 comments:

Ink Obsession Designs said...

I so understand this! I have the Catholic Guilt thing too and totally understand the self-imposed obligations. I'm trying to let go a little myself. It's hard, but I know we can get there! :)

CiCi said...

Great writing, describing how you really feel and how you want to have a better income as well as maintain a happy life. Since you love to cook, it is an inspiration on your part to decide on work that combines two of your important goals. Regarding the Catholic guilt, I gave up on that and moved forward to a healthier and happier life myself a couple years ago. Good for you. Go for it, and I look forward to reading how it is going for you.

Brian Miller said...

not catholic, but baptist guilt here...and yeah...i resonate...best wishes on the chef!

Maria said...

LMB, all the best with your new endeavor and had I been one of the Mega Millions winners, I would hire you to cook for me.

VEG said...

A personal chef? That is AWESOME. I bet this will be a whole new outlook for you, doing something you love and being in total control of your career. Well done, dude.

I don't know much about Catholic guilt but I grew up as a non-Catholic in a fairly Catholic community and all my friends were constantly being forced into attending masses and confession. That has to give you a little bit of a complex about yourself if you have to apologize to God for every little thing you do, no? Life's too short for guilt over things you can't change.

Good luck with everything!

J.J. in L.A. said...

It's not selfish to make yourself happy!

I haven't suffered from Catholic Guilt since I stopped going to church at 18. Finding out that the local priest was having an 'affair' with a (female) family friend was liberating.

Although, that priest might have reason to worry "when the time comes". : P

The Bumbles said...

Very exciting - you are brave to take that step. Can't wait to watch how you evolve. Maybe some day I can hire you to come up and cook for us!!!

Liz Mays said...

Well, this is not a little blog about nothing, is it? This is a HUGE something!

Logical Libby said...

Raised by Catholic. Totally have the guilt. Think I can't do anything because I don't deserve it.

You climb out of this guilt trip and enjoy your business!

Mandy_Fish said...

I have the guilt and was raised by atheists. Or agnostics. Agnostic Guilt!

I would love to have a personal chef. I pay someone to clean my house, why not cook me dinner too?

Anonymous said...

I'm so sick of Catholics and their gulit trips.

The point is God wants you to be the best you can be and do what you want and be happy.

Otherwise, what did he put us here for?

Anyone who wants to dump catholic guilt on you, tell them they have no idea what God want's for you but you do, and it's NOT to listen to their crap anymore and to just make yourself happpy.

Joanna Jenkins said...

GO FOR IT!!!! I'm cheering you on. And if you ever need a taste-tester :-)
Happy 2011, jj

Luna said...

i know what you mean. i agree, its great that you are doing something for yourself. i love to cook so i can relate to what you are training for. good for you for doing something for yourself.

Melanie's Randomness said...

Ohh Good luck with becoming a personal chef!! =)

dwaine0531 said...

That is so great that you are going to go after and try pursuing something you love to do. I have always wanted to open up a bakery/coffee shop and i hope at some point in my life i can try even if I fail at it, i will love that I gave it my all. keep writing hope to read more of your writings.

Dwaine

"Straight Guys Knit"
http://dwaine0531.blogspot.com/

Sunshine Mama said...

A personal chef? wow, that sounds exciting.

Alexandra said...

I know, I wonder, would you see Catholic guilt as the same thing as trying to please others?

It feels so much the same.

Mrs4444 said...

Congratulations on taking this awesome step. I'm excited for you! How's it going?