Is this distracting me: shame, guilt, regret?

Do you find yourself doing things you'd rather not? Sometimes even doing things you know are not good for you?

Do you do them because you've been told that not to do them would be shameful, that you'd be guilty of causing harm to others, or that you'd regret not doing them? 

Are shame, guilt, and regret real and true? Or are they simply interesting points of view based on someone's view of right and wrong? Words designed to control you and coerce you into doing what other people want, while distracting you from creating the life you'd really like?

Other people will always try to get you to do stuff their way, using words to trick you into believing it's good for you.  

If you'd like to be free from the control of distractors like this, ask "Is the thought of shame, guilt or regret distracting me from creating the life I'd truly like?"  Then see how light you feel. 

You may end up choosing to do exactly the same thing, but not because someone tricked you into it. It will be your free and conscious choice.