Focusing on me this time. The shortcomings that is

this is great. What about a little 4th/5th around it and then an 8/9 when you have some distance?

I've been taking a good hard look at myself and lately, one of the areas I've been really critical (and honest) with myself is my career.

For almost 4 years now I have put it completely on the backburner. At first the premise for doing so was my baby but honestly it was also b/c I was hoping the man in my life would help "save" me so I didn't have to face the real world all alone. Facing that realization about my motives hurt. Hearing myself say that to myself was painful to admit. But it was the truth. I wanted a man to marry and have babies with and be able to stay home, work part-time and do whatever I wanted. It was pure fantasy that took a lot of personal responsibility for my well-being away from me. I was literally putting me and my son's future (financial and otherwise) in the hands of my boyfriend, a man who said he didn't even love me, just liked me and cared for me a lot and hoped I'd hang around until he fell in love too. That was pretty naive on my part. I'm glad I got the wake up call.

Now, I do have to face the real world again, all alone, and its okay. I have the skill set to make much more money than I'm currently making and to do something more interesting. I've taken care of myself before and done just fine, even though I was never fully emotionally independent. But knowing I have options and figuring how to get back on the right track career-wise and money-wise makes me feel good and empowered about myself. It brings happiness to my life. And stability that no one else--especially any man--can.

So don't be afraid to look at your shortcomings. Look at them and figure out how to turn them around to something you're proud of. They're not a permanent part of you.