Shame

In this journey to freedom one of the greatest battles that I have faced was that I was not worthy enough to recieve the love that was being offered to me. I have asked the question so many times of what is wrong with me. In realizing that it is not that I have done something wrong but that something is simple wrong with my existence. In listening to a wise leader in conference the other day. She started explaining that shame was a wrongness of being. This was a subject that I really felt the need to explore. Shame is something that will hold us captive. It will alter our identity and will change our outlook on life because it removes out self worth. According to the websters dictionary here is the formal definition.

shame

–noun

1.	the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another: She was overcome with shame.

2.	susceptibility to this feeling: to be without shame.

3.	disgrace; ignominy: His actions brought shame upon his parents.

4.	a fact or circumstance bringing disgrace or regret: The bankruptcy of the business was a shame. It was a shame you couldn't come with us.

–verb (used with object)

5.	to cause to feel shame; make ashamed: His cowardice shamed him.

6.	to drive, force, etc., through shame: He shamed her into going.

7.	to cover with ignominy or reproach; disgrace.

—Idioms

8.	for shame! you should feel ashamed!: What a thing to say to your mother! For shame!

9.	put to shame, a. to cause to suffer shame or disgrace. b. to outdo; surpass: She played so well she put all the other tennis players to shame.

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Synonyms:
1. Shame, embarrassment, mortification, humiliation, chagrin designate different kinds or degrees of painful feeling caused by injury to one's pride or self-respect. Shame is a painful feeling caused by the consciousness or exposure of unworthy or indecent conduct or circumstances: One feels shame at being caught in a lie. It is similar to guilt in the nature and origin of the feeling. Embarrassment usually refers to a feeling less painful than that of shame, one associated with less serious situations, often of a social nature: embarrassment over breaking a teacup at a party. Mortification is a more painful feeling, akin to shame but also more likely to arise from specifically social circumstances: his mortification at being singled out for rebuke. Humiliation is mortification at being humbled in the estimation of others: Being ignored gives one a sense of humiliation. Chagrin is humiliation mingled with vexation or anger: She felt chagrin at her failure to remember her promise. 5. humiliate, mortify, humble, abash, embarrass.

Antonyms:
1. pride, self-esteem, self-respect.

In reading over what the actual definition was to shame. The complete opposite of shame is self respect. How often are we disrespecting ourselves because we carry the weight of our existence being wrong around on our shoulders. How is it that this horrendous belief formed and how do we get rid of it. We have to find where this ends because if it is not brought to an end then we will never obtain the freedom that we are searching for. So we must notice and realize what exactly we are feeling and what is holding us captive.