My ego gets in the way sometimes. I think I should be in a better place: my own house, a career, no debt, family...I beat myself up because I feel like a screw up because of my illnesses.

I also value mercy and humility, and one time during a yoga class, our instructor said something I thought was stupid in the moment, but stayed with me because I realized how deep it was: the highest form of humility is having compassion for oneself. I understood that my ego was adding to my suffering and that I had to look at myself the same way I looked at others: someone who is trying their best. That's all.

Compassion can be hard for oneself, but that saying helps me a lot.