When I was younger, I often judged myself for "not getting it right." Freedom of choice was rather routinely denied to the women of my generation, as it was to our mothers. Once in high school, I demanded the right to choose a personal behavior. My father patiently agreed and quietly offered his point of view. I took some time and realized he was right and I chose not to take on that particular behavior because it was  not healthy. When I told him my decision, he said doing what he wanted was the best way to go! He did not know how to affirm it as my choice.

I learned over the years that self-judgement is counter-productive and damaging to the mind and emotions. I now understand that life is a journey of knowing myself and becoming more and more truly me. I wrote this during a time of deep reflection during mid-life:

I remind myself that I did the best I could

with what I knew at the time and

I choose not to regret the past.

I appreciate the person I am and realize that

...