I guess that when it comes down to it you have to make peace with yourself.  You are your best critic and also your worst critic.  If you are honest with yourself you have to learn to be kind and gentle because you know your weaknesses and faults and would give it all up if you didn't remember that even God isn't a total critic.  He understands the reality of this life and He allows in His plan for you  and me to make mistakes and learn slowly and even rebel against what is right sometimes.  He knows about human stubbornness and the 'carnal, sensual and devilish' side of us.  He does require a lot from us, but not all at once.  We have a whole lifetime to get better and better.  That doesn't mean that we can purposely go the other direction, but He does allow for backward steps and even the occasional misstep as long as we keep trying and our desires are right.  I am beginning to understand myself now, and there are some things that I sincerely want to change and do better.  But there are some things that I see as much improved from years past.  So I have to stop thinking that maybe there is hope for me yet to knowing that there is hope for me and I just need to keep working at it.  I hope that you all can see the wisdom in what I have just written.  It isn't anything new and it does apply to all of you.  One thing that I have come to know pretty well is illustrated by my statement:  THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS. I value people.  I value family.  I value relationships.  'Things' do have a place, but never more then 'folks'.  So I value you.  I understand where you come from and where we can be in our eternal future.  And that is what keeps me going through our eternal present.