Past mistakes don't define me today. At one time I believed they did. Failed relationships and career missteps seemed to prove it. But no more. I discovered that regardless of the nature of the problems, they had some common denominators: unrealistic expectations and skewed self-assessments. My internalized self-critic worked overtime. And I was ashamed to ask for help. But with help, I adopted a new motto: While life leaves scars from where you've been, it doesn't dictate where you are going. With help and a little courage, I set more realistic expectations and detoxed that self-critic. With help I learned what motivated me to choose toxic relationships and unfulfilling career paths. We all have blind spots. With help I uncovered mine. Today I'm very selective when seeking friends. Today I am thriving in a career that is my calling. Your mistakes are not a life sentence; with effort and insight, you, too, can move forward.