The only decisions a person should make for the sole purpose of "making them feel good" are decisions related to their health.

We live in a "feel good" society, where it seems like more and more decisions are made for the warm and fuzzy purpose of "feeling good."   Reason seems to be taking a back to seat to emotion.  Right and wrong are being compromised and subsequently blurred.  The numbers are not as important as perhaps they once were.  Fact goes to the back.

Case in point, this week we have members of Congress vouching for Tom Daschle's honesty and integrity.  It is easy to indict Daschle in the court of public opinion, but we work with the information we have.  Guilt or innocence aside, I argue that this support of Daschle, is irrational at many levels, and I believe it, in large part, and at the root, stems from the belief by those supporting him that their support will somehow make them "feel good" about themselves.   Or at least not feel as bad about themselves.

And what about President Obama?  I believe President Obama has made assertions, promises and is pushing much of his agenda because at the core, he believes it will make him "feel good."   Bull poop.

But the examples above is pretty far from home for the most of us.  Let's bring this back to earth and into our own homes and lives.  I've got a bag of mini Snickers sitting in my freezer at home.  I want to eat the entire bag right now, because I think it will make me "feel good."  And maybe it will, for a short period but my point is that "feeling good" should not be the driving decision.  In fact it should weigh in only modestly, if at all.  Eating a bag of frozen Snickers is just bad for so many reasons. 

Or maybe ladies, you have been eyeing a new frock at your local frock dealer and are thinking to yourself, "it would make me feel so good, if I could only have that frock."  I would put forth, that long term, it might make you feel warm, which might contribute to your general well being, but "feeling good" factor should be thrown out of the equation.

However, when it comes to health care decisions, I think it is ok to base much and many of those decisions on how they will make one feel.  Now I'm not talking about decisions made in the name of health (like happy pills) that might make a person feel good, but rather decisions about diet and exercise and ones overall physiological and psychological health.  Decisions about which doctor to select, or which insurance plan to purchase, or what kind of mattress to put on one's bed, or which medications to take, or whether or not to see an acupuncturist, or whether to take up yoga, or ride a bike.  In cases of taking care of one's long-term well being I believe "feeling good" is a reasonable and important part of the decision process.

Think of all the decisions you make in a day not related to your health, and if you find that "feeling good" is driving them, take that out of the mix and re-consider the decision.  I'll wager, in the end, you will make better decisions and guess what?  They might make you "feel good."