P52, Somewhat: Week 5, "Self"

What a tough topic "Self" has turned out to be this week.  You see, to take a photo of your "self," you must first understand who your "self" is—and that is something that can be quite a challenge for anyone.

What I've decided about myself is this: I'm a person who constantly looks back.

•  I look back at past friendships, to learn what went wrong and why and how better to take care of my important friendships and other relationships now and in the future.

•  I look back at past romances, to learn where my priorities are and what I want and need from that sort of relationship.

•  I look back at past jobs to learn what about them made me happy and what made me miserable, what gave me a sense of purpose and what seemed frustratingly impossible.

•  I look back—to past joys and hurts, frivolities and losses, successes and failures—to learn how to move forward without repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

I look back.  Looking back allows me to be a better mother, a better friend, a better daughter, a better teacher, a better co-worker, a better citizen.....in general, a better person.  Looking back helps me to accept my flaws by showing me that, even though I have always been flawed, I have still had successes.  Looking back helps me to see that I am a person worthy of happiness and love and contentment.

Looking back gives me the tools and the wisdom I need to move forward.

And so, I look back.

"Looking Back" self-portrait by Sarah Getz, Jan. 17, 2012 for P52 Photo-A-Week Challenge.