This is so interesting, Steven! I had always wanted doing right to be easy. I wished that I didn't have the impulse to not do what I knew to be right (say, returning some money that someone gave me too much of) and that I wouldn't even have the wrong thing cross my mind. It does, though. So I have to purposely choose the right thing.

I thought that the fact I could contemplate doing the wrong thing showed that I'm less morally developed than I want to be. One of the messages I'm taking from this blog entry of yours is that the discomfort I feel in the face of temptation is not a sign of weakness--it's a helping hand.

Thank you.

I found this part useful - Thanks:

The danger lies in blaming these important internal signals - vague discomfort and the like -on "stress" or circumstances or other people. Then they lose the capacity to guide beneficial behavior and become, instead, something to numb, avoid, or avenge. When we try to numb, avoid, or avenge the negative emotions enforcing our deepest values, we lose touch with who we are. When that happens, you look in the mirror and see someone else's face. Ignoring the value meaning of emotions leads to resentment, depression, or anxiety as it alienates you from your deepest values. Eventually you live in the shadows of yourself.

To stay in the sunlight, be grateful for the vague discomforts of life. If you examine their value meaning and do not blame them on anyone, they will enable growth and keep you true to who you are.

You say:

"To stay in the sunlight, be grateful for the vague discomforts of life. If you examine their value meaning and do not blame them on anyone, they will enable growth and keep you true to who you are."

How do we recognize the value meaning of our negative emotions?