On Mistakes

 

You only get one chance with most things, so you might as well enter into the field of your mistakes. Mistakes are your loyal friend; they will never leave you.

Some mistakes are long-lasting. It actually takes a long time to commit them. A thesis written on the wrong topic; a dream job becomes a nightmare; a cult fails to deliver your salvation. Some mistakes can’t be avoided: you can’t take everything. (A mistake is not a take). You may miss a take due to standing where you are, or to what has standing here and there. And the unmistaken life doesn’t last. Always new realms of mistakes to be explored. Mistake upon mistake compounds understanding.

Then you might remember the mistakes of others. Bearing grudges for half a lifetime over a hasty word, yourself a different person then. Twin mistakes, born at the same time. Forgiving as an act of the will; forgetting harder still. (A mistake is not a crime).

Then the mistake of taking yourself seriously; you’re often more comedy than drama. When others mistake you, “ya gotta love ‘em”. You think you’re better than them? Not so. When you make mistakes, you gotta love you, too.