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Making Mistakes

What if we were to look at "making mistakes" as one of the main steps in our development.
If making mistakes were really not okay,none of us would have learnt to walk! We would have given up at the first fall. Bad mistake, can't do that again!!
What if you choose to look at any mistakes you make as "tests" to make you grow. I think Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb tried 10000 combinations before he had a lightbulb. He is supposed to have said "I didn't fail 9999 times. I found 9999 ways NOT to make a lightbulb".
I made a mistake recently, the details of which are unimportant. What's important is that I listened to the other person's point of view, I apologised and I did what was in my power to rectify the situation for them. Now - and this is important - I have let it go! I have done everything I could and now I let the outcome be whatever it is. I have no control over other people and how they choose to react. I can only be responsible for myself. And I move on.
(The learning is for me -and I know without a doubt that this particular lesson will not reappear in my life).
No one can know it all. We are here to learn. You can only ever do your best - and if you fall, you have to be gentle and compassionate with yourself. You get yourself right back on track and let go what went before.
Have any of you thought of having a notebook specifically on "the lessons I have learnt" (listed like quotes) ? Just an idea.
MR

Comments

Brilliant post.

Submitted on June 9th, 2010

Thank you. I do tend like other human beings to mess up here and there and while I always try to make things right, the "letting go" bit is sometimes a struggle. Ironically, letting go of bigger mistakes seems easier... For example, this week I sent a text message to my friend Chris and started it with "Hi Phil"... I realised my mistake quickly and sent a text of apology, and there was no reply!

Such a small mistake, but I became consumed by it. The silence obviously meant that Chris was hurt, insulted etc.

I really had to give myself a good talking to at that point. Imagine losing sleep over such nonsense? 

Anyway, I've digressed. Thank you MR for this great reminder!

- Claire