My father taught me that there is only one person who I am accountable to - myself and he also advocated that at the end of each day I thank myself for having done the best that I can manage that day.

I need this reminder often.

The primary object of commercials and other advertising is to convince you that you NEED that product. They have to convince you that you are not complete without it. If you ever look at a fashion magazine it is about 75% advertising and 25% articles about what is wrong with you, why, and how to fix it, and you're paying $12.99 for that service plus ads.

Dealing with that demon in my head that likes to remind me of my failures is done with meditation. It works for me. And I have forgiven myself for being human, and for the stuff that is and was out of my control. It isn't a one and done deal, it is every day and sometimes many times a day.

It has taken me a long time to come to this point, and I'm hoping I gave my kids a healthier upbringing than what I had. I'm pretty sure of it. The old Helen Reddy song comes to mind: Oh yes, I am wise, but it's wisdom born of pain. Yes, I've paid the price but look how much I gained. If I have to I can do anything.

I love to re, or self assess.. assuming I’ll eventually figure out life’s secrets … and have finally had time to ponder. Though my conclusions are malleable, they’ve become: I’m proud of my accomplishments, and would not want to ‘do them again.’

Mistakes were minimal, and defects were imposed, not generated from within. I now trust my judgement, and not as much that of others. Several thousand years ago, I’d be a village elder by now What’s weird is how much I’m still learning ...with, I may safely assume, decades to go..

As I look back, even to those having hurt me, those who've changed, are forgiven. And really, those who remained seriously hurtful to others are gone, as in dead. My parents made mistakes, but grew with time and are no longer who they once were, either. Time can heal, so let’s let it ~