I came across this image which depicts how healing progresses over time. It's humorous and yet accurate at the same time.  Healing and progress are not necessarily a straight line.  We begin to understand and connect the dots of our history and experience. Perhaps we learn a lesson and find some wisdom. But we often find ourselves falling back into old habitual patterns of thinking, feeling and behavior. However, what's important is that we be aware of what happened, learn from it; then determine and commit to taking steps 'now', in the present, to move forward; without self-judgment and with compassion toward ourselves.