Please! Someone offer me a way to gain enough willpower to give up meat...

[H:O:R:A:C:E]

I was vegetarian for a seven year period. I don't recall it being difficult at all. :) It seems the key issue in your post here HallowsEve involves Willpower. There appears to be a concensus definition of willpower at odds with my understanding of it. Willpower is not a tiny tool, useful for avoiding particular 'temptations'. Willpower is the primary motive force of everything.
If you WANT something, go ahead and want it. You seem split between wants. (And that's okay too!) Also, it's generally not advisable to persue not-somethings (as in avoidances). IMHO, we are better off affirming 'positive' goals and taking steps towards those goals.
As for guilt -- you don't need it. Guilt is a liar. Know that you have ALWAYS done your best in every situation (God knows this)! Also, do not fear temptation. God does not make us offerings to us which lead us away from 'Righteousness'.
i hope this helps

[Lovely]

Originally Posted by onthepath

Youtube the documentary "Earthlings"

It was the last time I ate meat...

I second that. Powerful film.

No, you don't need guilt. No one wants a guilt trip, I even roll my eyes at guilt trips.
It's about compassion and empathy. You can't look at factory farm animals being stomped on with boots or chickens hanging upside down on a line and not FEEL something for that.

When I was little, I ate what my parents gave me. I never liked meat and always thought it tasted gross unless it was super processed.
I was about 7 years old when I went to the grocery store and my parents wanted a lobster dinner. I had always known about the tank of lobsters at the store, but didn't put two and two together until that day.
I said "Mom, do they just give you the lobster? He's right in there, do you have to kill it?"
My Mom said "No, they boil them for you"
"What do you mean?"
"They just throw him in a pot and boil it for you"
"ALIVE?"
"yes"

Man, I want to cry all over again thinking about it. I was totally crushed. I had to walk away to the small toy section to stop crying.
I know a lot of people have these kind of stories.
Can you imagine not only living in a tank, but being BOILED ALIVE???

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by onthepath

No, you don't need guilt. No one wants a guilt trip, I even roll my eyes at guilt trips.
It's about compassion and empathy. You can't look at factory farm animals being stomped on with boots or chickens hanging upside down on a line and not FEEL something for that.

When I was little, I ate what my parents gave me. I never liked meat and always thought it tasted gross unless it was super processed.
I was about 7 years old when I went to the grocery store and my parents wanted a lobster dinner. I had always known about the tank of lobsters at the store, but didn't put two and two together until that day.
I said "Mom, do they just give you the lobster? He's right in there, do you have to kill it?"
My Mom said "No, they boil them for you"
"What do you mean?"
"They just throw him in a pot and boil it for you"
"ALIVE?"
"yes"

Man, I want to cry all over again thinking about it. I was totally crushed. I had to walk away to the small toy section to stop crying.
I know a lot of people have these kind of stories.
Can you imagine not only living in a tank, but being BOILED ALIVE???

Well, that inspired ME to stay the course!!!
Thank you.