Alan,
I wish I could write articles as powerful and well done as you did here. Wow.
I will say this, positivity goes a long way in every single aspect of life, and this is a super reminder. Recently, I realized that this coffee shop that I frequent serves wonderful coffee, however I was feeling guilty about the syrup they add in which makes it so tasty and considered no longer going there. But then I realized that it just makes me happy. I have a routine of dropping my kids off at school and then stopping for a cup of sugary coffee, and I listed to my worship music, and that kick starts my day. SO, I've decided to embrace the calories because until there is a healthy smoothie shop on the way to the highway, this is part of my happy for me. And, my 92 year old grandmother still has a diet coke every day because it's her happy, so there must be a story to doing what feels good even if its a nutritional "don't do." ha.
Thanks again for your positivity. Hope to catch up soon.