Shameful
Shame has had an impact on my life. Shame is a message that says there's not just something wrong with what we did on any occasion, but with who we are. We are talking about the seat of instincts, gender , and our very sense of self. It happens on all levels - from parents to peers to siblings to bosses to friends. And it starts early on in our lives, by the people we look up to or respect on some level and actually trust with our feelings. It affects us deeply, and most of the time we don't know what is happening until it is over. It can leave you feeling worthless, empty, angry, ashamed, embarrassed, or just plain confused. As we grow into adulthood, it gets easier to be aware of, and call it out to the person doing it to you. Unfortunately, some people never get this far. For example, little boys cut down other little boys sense of rank or status - to win against him, defeat him, and in so doing, to limit his social permission to fur...