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Barbra Streisand Guilty Pleasures

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From the time I put on my polyester plaid uniform and matching vest, I felt it – that ping in my stomach and the weight of my conscious. In kindergarten, I felt guilty for wanting to play when it was time to pray. In elementary school, I felt guilty for arguing with my best friend and not forgiving her right away.

From the moment I passed the religious statues at the entrance of the school, I felt it. It continued through high school. After a fun filled weekend of getting away with God knows what, I felt the guilt the moment I stepped into the church doors on Sunday morning. It worsened when I would walk past the Catholic statues outside the high school doors.

Guilt – it is a powerful feeling and one that can either guide and direct us or torture us until the end. As a young child, it felt like a punishment, though I didn't really know what it was. I felt paranoid when the feeling came upon me and worried that a consequence was looming with every step I took.

As an adult, I began to realize that those little reminders – pings, rapid heartbeat, nausea – were a positive sign that I was human and remorseful. I was reminded of my sins and reminded that I temporarily took the wrong path.

Those religious statues that used to haunt me soon became my saving grace. I began to welcome the sight of Mary and her newborn or St. Francis of Assisi – Catholic statues that represent the good of the world and the good that still needs to be done.

These garden statues, along with the growing flowers and plants that surrounded them, showed me the right path filled with the beauty of guilt. Guilt prompted me to think of my fortunes. Guilt prompted me to assist those without good fortune. And, most importantly, guilt protected me from temptation, peer pressure, and wrong doing. Without it, I would have pushed the limits to the point of no return without looking back, without feeling, and without God.

The word “Guilt” too often has a negative connotation in society when in reality, guilt is a positive feeling. It is within religious statues that I have found the beauty of guilt, the reality of my actions, and the significance of my choices in the future. They guide me to the path that I am seeking and comfort me when temptation arises.

Now, as an older adult, as I enter Catholic school doors or walk on church grounds, the first thing I look for is the uniqueness of these religious statues – they remind me of my guilt and of my humble nature. But most importantly, they remind me of who I am and who I should strive to be in God's eyes.

Barbra Streisand Guilty Pleasures

What is it with women and care-givers?

They can't have fun without feeling like they are doing something wrong?!?!?!

Many of my coaching clients tell me the same thing -- I suggest they go have a massage, and they say "Oh, no, I couldn't do that -- it would cost too much!"

Or I say, why don't you take the weekend and go visit a friend, and they reply "Well what about the laundry, the meals, and the shopping?"

And some of them even say, "Well, no; I couldn't go do something fun, because then my husband would have to stay home, miss his golf game, and look after the kids!"

Can you believe that? I mean -- really!!! Men are OK to have fun, but we aren't? What kind of message is that sending to the Universe?

My friend Lacey is a perfect example. She's working on two important projects (simultaneously), looking after a 1-year-old, trying to upgrade her education, and keeping house, etc. So, is it any wonder that she needs a break now and then? She finds herself in tears a lot; wonders why she's having difficulty coping, beating herself up for not being on top of everything, and probably not sleeping well. She's certainly not eating well; when one of us reminds her that she needs to have some protein more than once a day, she says, "Oh, yeah; l forgot!"

Lacey is a perfect candidate for our 3-3-3 program. In this program we introduce the notion that you need to plan on doing three FUN things each month. Then, after that has become a habit, we suggest you try to do three FUN things each week. And -- you guessed it -- once you've mastered that idea, we look for you to bring three FUN things into your life (and the life of your family) each day.

That's not such an unreasonable idea, you know! One of my favourite new books is by Ted Schredd; it's called Grandma knows the "F" word, and it's every bit as outrageous as you might think, but not in the same way. You see, the F-word that Grandma knows is "FUN".

When you think about the fact that children laugh more than 400 times each day, we adults should certainly consider laughing with our families, and our friends at least THREE times per day -- don'tcha think?!?

Jan Jantzen, the Women's Entrepreneurial Guru suggests that every business woman plan on ONE FULL day of FUN every week. She suggests that on your planned FUN day, you have no business contact whatsoever, no e-mails, no phone calls. Just you and your FUN time.

I know; some of you are cringing at that notion!

But honestly, you'll be surprised at how much more refreshed and energized you'll be! You'll have more desire to be with your family; more creativity to bring to the table, and more willingness to be open to the demands of a busy woman's life.

Since I first heard Jan make that suggestion, I decided to do exactly that! I can tell you it's amazing - every Saturday, I spend my time doing things I love to do, baking cookies, working on a quilt, digging in the garden - but no work-related activities. I don't do laundry, I don't clean (other than dishes) and I don't do e-mails. No computer for me on Saturday - unless I'm printing out a new recipe I've found and am dying to try.

It's very liberating, I must say! There is no time pressure - I do what I want, when I want, for as long as I want.

If this is something you think might help you, but it scares the you-know-what out of you, give us a call, and one of our coaches will be happy to get you started on the right track to enjoying a few of those Guilty Pleasures without the guilt!

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About Author

Both Brook Kavanugh & Linda Greven are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Brook Kavanugh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Fitness and Culture. Brook is an avid writer and outdoor enthusiast dedicated to educating those interested in benefits of landscaping. Looking for more landscaping ideas? Come visit

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