Disconnect from negativity within

[Shannon]

Mat... you are so closely following in my footsteps it's scary. I had a lazy eye, and mine would switch off. I had surgery for it, and I was one of the first people in the world to get that kind of corrective surgery.

You also are doing something I have done a lot in the past, and that is trying to assume responsibility for everything, even if it's not yours. I used to get so upset because I thought I had to do everything perfectly, be perfect, be everything to everyone... and it was killing me. Then I had someone say to me, "Hey, Shannon, get over yourself. The world is not your responsibility. You're not perfect, and you never will be. And you cannot do a better job than the best you can do. Stop trying to be perfect, and be everything to everybody, and do everything perfectly. Perfection is a journey, not something you'll ever achieve in this life."

And when I truly understood that, and let go of that assumption of responsibility and demand for perfection... I let go of so much weight. I felt so free. And ever since, with an occasional exception when I forget myself, I have been so much happier.

So Mat... accept yourself. Let go of your insistence on always perfectionism. The world is not black and white, and nothing in it is either. All or nothing thinking always gets you in trouble.

I think you would do well using Overcoming Guilt, Shame and Fear, along with Forgive Yourself and Let It Go.