Self-Punishment

 One of the reasons that someone tries to reform their life for their own betterment is because they want to become a friend to themself.  Their addiction to bad behavior has harmed them as well as others.  I like to think that becoming a friend to oneself can be energizing for someone who knows they need to change.  I can apologize to me for causing myself a bad day, but then how am I going to amend my life to make tomorrow better for me.  The spiritual way of becoming friends with oneself avoids self-centeredness.  This is the only true way to change.  It is an inside job that will bear fruit on the outside eventually.