When someone says they are guilty, or feeling bad about something, our knee jerk reflex may be to try to relieve them of their trouble by saying that it isn't something to be guilty about, or feel bad about.
It's born out of a good intention on our part, we are trying to direct the course of a human's suffering to it's resolution. But what's to be remembered is that if someone is feeling bad, or guilty, it's because of their internal value system.
Maybe the values are the very thing that need to be addressed, but any feeling shared with you is worth more effort than just a dismissal of it. Lets suppose a person is eating a chocolate doughnut in front of you and exclaims that they are feeling absolutely guilty about eating it after maintaing a healthy diet for three days. Although you are tempted to say ''live a little'', the relief you are offering is too brisk, requires no effort on your part and possibly not even warranted according to their personal value system.
What you can do instead is share your thoughts on the matter, in a manner which is not of advice, but of true,honest reflection on the matter on your part. Or maybe you should just be quiet and say nothing. It's just something to keep in mind.
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