Great post, Stace! I'm so happy for you.
Progress is the name of the game, and when you can look back at where you were and realize that you're in a better place than where you used to be, you know you're doing things right.
When in a depressed state people measure themself against some external yardstick of what they beleive that others think they should be. But the point when you can finally be content with who you already are is when you know that you've made true progress.
Everything that we can become we already are. It's a mental leap. The difficult part is just allowing that part of us that already is to just be. That's when we can truly become.
Inherently we all know that we can be better. That's why you're finding it hard to move on. Just remember this: Progress IS available to anyone willing to make the effort, but perfection is unattainable for everyone. You can't learn how to be perfect, but you can learn how to be just a little bit better. By chasing perfection in any area of life, we overlook and underutilize other parts of ourself that could contain our greatest potential.
If you demand that someone be perfect they'll hate you for it. They'll put up walls and barriers, and become defensive. But explore with them how they might be better, and they'll love you. Life is not a celebration of perfection. Life is a celebration of your own vast potential - as well as the potential of all whom you come in contact with every day.
So keep moving forward. Celebrate the progress you've already made. Celebrate the potential within you and within others. Celebrate the progress you make each day, and soon you'll realize that the person who you're trying to become... is the person that you already are.
Blessings,
Texas Bob
[This message has been edited by Texas Bob (edited July 30, 2002).]