Putting an ‘i’ in front of it.

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable,

but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” – – George Bernard Shaw

When I was young, my siblings and I were taught to take responsibility for our actions.  Usually this meant I wronged someone else, or did not do what I was told, but my mother made it clear that I was to own up to whatever it was that I did and to take responsibility for things even.

I’m sure that many other people had similar lessons as a child and we carry these lessons with us into our adult lives.  But have you ever considered that you have a choice as to whether you put an ‘I’ in front of something?  Do you consider that you have a choice to beat yourself up for a mistake instead of realizing that mistakes are what make us human?

When you put an “I” in front of something, you’re making it your responsibility.  “I messed up.”  “I made a mistake.”  “I did not do what I should have.”  Yes, you are taking responsibility, but the real question is whether it is your responsibility to take or not.  Remember that life is about experiences and the only way to experience new things is to try new things.

Whether you make a mistake in your job, your life, with your kids or in your animal rescue activities, certainly it is admirable and important to recognize and accept that something did not go as planned.  It is equally important to not dwell on the negative feelings and emotions of that mistake.  Recognize it, learn from it, and chalk it up to your experiences.

Mistakes are the portals of discovery. – – James Joyce