Unfortunately, I don’t have a detail-oriented bone in my body. I am more of a global-gal. I am much more interested in the big picture than in the details. Since God is in the details, I often gladly turn them over!
Frequently, in my blogs I will type “our” instead of “are” and so on. Within minutes of disseminating my blogs, my more detail-oriented friends and colleagues will offer a correction of my work which is invariably peppered with errors. Sometimes I wish I made fewer mistakes, but mistakes almost always have inherent gifts.
I’ve noticed that my mistakes seem to help people connect with me. They see that I am human and just trying to do my best while sometimes missing the mark. That is really what a mistake is—just an error.
Mistakes have the power of humbling us. It’s not about playing small in the face of a mistake which makes it a powerful experience; it is about learning that anything we do which can be perceived as a mistake is not about the essential us.
When we recognize that we make mistakes (and frequently) we may be quicker to forgive others when they make mistakes. It isn’t about ignoring mistakes. It would be folly if a correction or apology would remedy a misstep and we don’t seize the opportunity. The gift of mistakes seems to be largely about learning not to judge ourselves or others in the face of imperfection.
Some people believe that human beings really aren’t capable of mistakes. I am not from this school of thought. In the world of reality or form I believe we can and do make mistakes. But when we over-identify with our mistakes, we give our mistakes too much power. We paralyze ourselves instead of dusting ourselves off and trying again.
As I mature, I am focused much less on the concepts of right and wrong and focus more on the more empowering concept of authenticity. Coming from authenticity is a powerful perspective and one that doesn’t embrace unhealthy shame, as the concepts of right and wrong can. If we want to affect real change, we might want to ask ourselves what is authentic for us. From a healthy vantage point, we can effect real and lasting change.
When you make a mistake an empowering choice might be to use it to connect with others. If you have behaved in an untoward way can you apologize, commit to serious or permanent change, and/or help others to avoid the pitfalls that felt challenging for you? How can you use your mistakes as an opportunity for healing, compassion, and giving?
