“The consciousness, or even the suspicion, of having done wrong, is a load upon every mind, and is accompanied with anxiety and terror in all those who are not hardened by long habits of iniquity.” –Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
That’s why I’ve found that when I behave myself better, and manage to keep my resolutions, I feel happier. Knowing that I’ve lost my temper, failed to use good manners, behaved thoughtlessly, etc., makes me anxious, even as I’m making excuses for myself.
*
I’ve started sending out short monthly newsletters that will highlight the best of the previous month’s posts. If you’d like to sign up, click on the link in the upper-right-hand corner of my blog. Or just email me at grubin, then the “at” sign, then gretchenrubin dot com. No need to write anything more than “newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll add your name to the list.
