The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future - Frank Herbert
There is alot of truth in this saying. As humans we are afraid of the unknown and fear change. But there is another aspect of progress that needs addressing.
Kunda's tedious addendum -
Progress helps humans forge ahead from personal calamities and destructive patterns. The problem that it creates in the mind is when the person thinks progress shields him/her from destructive patterns of the past. It is said that "Time heals", which is in some sense true. It allows one a certain 'distance' from the specific experience, a form of digestion and introspection time. But when time coupled with progress creates an imaginary barrier from where that person is at that moment and his/her past experience - that is where the danger of relapse (falling back on past destructive pattern) occurs. "How could this bring me back to my knees again?!", "How did I end up back at square one again?!?! I thought I was over this!".
Constant vigilance and mindfullness will help to create a form of healthy progress that will succeed in avoiding relapses - or at least lessen the impact of the relapse on the persons mind.
You fall down, you sit up, stand, brush yourself off and start all over again.
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