Achievement of these ideals brings increased self-esteem and satisfaction, but alternately, failure to live up to expectations can also result in guilt. Unrealistic self-expectations thus have to be periodically revised so that they do not become oppressive. Holding a goal in mind is inspirational and is actually helpful to its accomplishment, because what is held in mind tends to actualize. However, it is a mistake to attack oneself with guilt for failing to achieve the ideal. Upon examination, it will be frequently discovered that it was not really the goal that was desired but the
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