Some actions are good precisely because they make us do things we don’t want to do.
“Don’t go to bed mad” is good advice because it forces you to talk about your feelings instead of ignoring them and letting problems fester. You don’t want to do that. You want to hold a grudge. But it’s better if you don’t, so we make little rituals. Breaking bread with your enemies. Smiling in the mirror.
Hatred, bitterness, even just grumpiness – they feel good. The things that caused them don’t, but the feelings themselves are alluring. But the truly good feelings are better, so we make our rituals.
The Opportunity Machine 