It is true that we all have the power to control our feelings, but I think guilt is something that has to be understood and learned before you actually realize it’s happening. Self-control is also something that must be practiced and learned.

Guilt is all around us… it can be found in marketing, politics, religion, family, friendship, service, and volunteerism (and probably a bunch of other places as well). Sometimes we even guilt ourselves for our own selfish reasons. It was not my intent to tell anyone they were using guilt against me.

Lyle, I saw that movie last night as well, and I agree with your analysis. I hope our society can learn to recognize and avoid guilt. We’ll be a much happier and fulfilled people if we can do that.

In general, if you feel guilty it has nothing to do with what someone else is doing- I can’t make you feel anything- you are in control of your own feelings. That being said, Guiltifiers- those who try to play the guilt card, can be hard to handle at times, and it is best to just avoid those people when they are acting this way.