As I was writing what I thought was going to be my second-to-last blog of this “Year of Gratitude and Joy” series, I realized I was missing a day. Oops!
While I was kicking myself for making this mistake, I also realized that it wasn’t such a big deal in the greater scheme of things … it just means I have to write one more. Which is this one. (Kinda feels like a bonus, don’t ya think?)
That’s the thing about making mistakes. We often get wrapped around the axle because we screwed up on something. We forget someone’s birthday or we misspell a name on their Christmas card. We leave the laundry in the dryer so that every piece is wrinkled. We hit the car door ever so slightly against a pole, leaving a small dent you can hardly see. NONE of these things really matter. They can all be fixed and aren’t truly worth fretting over. I remember my dad always saying “Don’t cry over spilt milk” (I think everyone’s parents said that at least once or twice). It’s true!
Traveling to Italy this past summer, a misunderstanding about a reservation left us without a room for the night. For a few brief moments, we were truly worried about where we would spend the night. But the innkeeper made a few calls and we were soon checked-in to an even better place!
Even the big mistakes offer opportunities for growth and renewal. And boy, have we had some doozies! I’ve written this year about the boat Greg bought and how excited he was. What I haven’t written about is how he realized that racing such a small boat wasn’t nearly as fun as he thought it would be. He decided to give that up and focus his time on the water on more leisurely sailing we can do together. It was an expensive lesson, but one in which we realized that our time together was more important than trying to relive his youth. The boat is now for sale.
I’ve looked back many times over the years at all the mistakes I’ve made in my life, big and small. For the most part, there are no regrets. I am grateful for all the lessons I learned from those mistakes and which brought me to where I am today … living a life filled with joy and happiness.
There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Embrace your mistakes, learn their lessons, and use them to better enjoy life’s journey.
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