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POPSAttention activists: Permission to feel good More: And so those who would feel accomplishment and revel in their moment of triumph censor themselves. They become defensive. They seek to preempt. How many people included the phrase (or an equivalent) "I know how much more we have to do, but I'm so happy now!" As if rejoicing now is somehow inappropriate, that we must seek pardon and permission to celebrate any milestone. And it works. The joy is diminished. The reward less. The labor made greater. And, over time, we lose our capacity for joy and become worldly and cynical and join the chorus to silence those who can still dare to take undiluted and unmitigated pleasure in their achievements.