We can approach our shortcomings and mistakes so much better when we understand whether or not we are experiencing NATURAL CONSEQUENCES or unnecessary PUNISHMENT.

Natural consequences can often times be accompanied by the guilt of making wrong choices. That guilt can encourage you to CHANGE and LEARN from your mistakes.

But the punishment... self-inflicted or from someone else... can carry a hefty amount of shame. This is shame is unnecessary and unrelated to our shortcomings. This is unhelpful and discouraging.

So... DON'T BEAT YOURSLEF UP!

You are human!

You are going to make lots of mistakes!

You are doing your best to be your best and that's enough!