Chapter 18
The Weight of Guilty Conscience
That was a thought almost continuously in his mind, even when he was hardest at work; and, as the days went on and he could not free himself, he became querulous about it. “I guess I'm the biggest dang fool alive,” he told his wife as they sat together one evening. “I got plenty else to bother me, without worrying my head off about what HE thinks. I can't help what he thinks; it's too late for that. So why should I keep pestering myself about it?” “It'll wear off, Virgil,” Mrs. Adams said, reassuringly. She was gentle and sympathetic…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Success Anxiety
Think of a time when you achieved something you wanted but felt anxious or guilty about how you got it. Write down the achievement, the method you used, and the specific worries or fears that followed. Then identify what your conscience was trying to tell you through that anxiety.
Consider:
- •Notice how anxiety often points to values we've compromised
- •Consider whether the fear of being 'found out' was worse than the original problem
- •Think about how this guilt affected your ability to enjoy the success
Journaling Prompt
Write about a current situation where you're tempted to take a shortcut that conflicts with your values. What would the 'Virgil path' look like versus a path you could feel proud of?
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