For every peak, there’s been a valley. For every leap forward, there’s a stumble backward and for every two steps forward we take, we may take one step backward. And despite our expectations, our growth is never linear. Today begin to accept that we all make mistakes in life. We all go through phases when we need to relearn lessons we’ve already learned, and that can be frustrating, leaving you feeling regretful, remorseful, impatience or disappointment in yourself. However, if you step back from your current frustrations, you will see how much you have grown and changed despite the intermittent setbacks. In truth you and I are not the same people we were before, and we won’t be the same tomorrow. And, because we are always becoming, we can’t ever experience happiness, if we’re fixated on who and where we could or "should" be. We can only experience happiness by being who we are, because it’s the only identity we have available to us right now. We may never attain the ideal, but maybe that’s okay. Maybe our purpose isn’t just to grow—maybe it’s also about growing to love our perfectly, imperfect selves. Today, cut yourself break and love and approve yourself exactly as you are and you will find that you will take three steps forward instead two steps back!

Just for today, I will not allow noise, setbacks or chatter to distract me. I will allow patience, purpose, commitment and grace to guide me. When I make a mistake I know that it is only part of the learning process. I forgive myself for not being perfect. I am living the best way I know how. I love myself and I know that only good awaits me at every turn. All is truly well in my world. And so it is.