Mistakes Matter: Reviewing Lessons from Milemarkers of Life's Journey

There is no foot that does not stumble.

Zulu proverb

 

            There are times when I've felt it was important to do a review of my life journey and ponder not just the successes but ask: How many times have I messed up?

            So in the name of being self-aware and not afraid to go there, I continue: Let me count the ways (a few for starters):

·         Acted like “a chuckle-headed fool” (one of my grandfather’s favorite terms) 

·         Made wrong decisions resulting in unfavorable circumstances in my career

·         Said things to people I wish I could return to my mouth and mind

·         Operated at the whims of my emotions - carelessness (at times)

 

All of my mistakes have cost me in some way—spiritually, physically or financially.

There are always consequences for actions or inactions. Our faults rack up.

             In life we face our natural disposition to do wrong, intentionally or unintentionally. Slips of the tongue and bad judgment calls follow us. Employees make errors on their jobs so we comb over our bills to make sure they’re accurate. Politicians spout gaffes that offend. We’re breathing, spirited beings operating from our inclinations and prone to struggle with the mix of our own divine and demons. We fear making mistakes, but there’s no way to avoid them. It’s ingrained in the human condition that there is no perfection.

            “What did you learn from this?”

            We’ve all been on the receiving end of that question from parents, bosses or friends. There is a place for thoughtful consideration as we revisit our mistakes. We can regroup from the aftermath of the misfortunes of our actions. In The Odyssey there is a major theme running through it, teaching us that the human spirit with the most growth and strength is the one that is tested and weakened through the process. Though instructional yet ambiguous, we don’t always see the fall-out from our mistakes.

             Some consequences of our wrong deeds show up much later. A few of mine are permanent markers. I’ve revisited many of my own blunders in hindsight, wishing I hadn’t done certain things.  I can’t change what I did, so what’s the answer? What is most motivating to me is that I didn’t count myself out ISO (In Spite Of) them.

            So what do I know in review?

            Goof-ups come with growing up and have their place as a phase of life’s passages. When I’m having my ‘auntie talks’ with my nephew or nieces, I tell them mistakes are inevitable. I tell them they’re going to make them and that the key is not to make too many of them with consequences that are hard to recover from.

            To constantly teeter on ‘to do or not to do’ would make us too fearful to take risks and live fully. As God’s creations we are beautifully and wonderfully made—with our flaws. But there’s help. Lamentations 3:22 tells us, “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” We can count on “Him, who is able to keep us from falling”— always watching and protecting us.

            Yet there are times to rack up our own experiences to learn perils versus positives. Second chances and forgiveness over and over again can decrease the major and minor count.

            Let’s proceed on the miles of our journey and thoughtfully watch our numbers—we don’t want a pile up of mistakes with no lessons as an out... Periodically do a life review.

           

Excerpted from my motivational autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE