One Mistake Never to Make

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Albert Einstein.

I can completely beat myself up over mistakes I have made, have thought about making and those I might think about making in the future.

Do you see a trend here?
Can you relate?

Many of us have a strong tendency to “should” all over ourselves (smile)

We ask what should we have done, what should we do differently next time and what should We NOT do when the sun comes up tomorrow.

Our thoughts shuffle together like a deck of cards with the unrealistic hope of preventing any more mistakes.

I have met individuals who refuse to try anything new- because they ” have never done it before” or “we” just don’t do _________ in our family.

The fear of the new is probably the top thing that hinders us to aim higher. We love the thought of stability and safety. The moment someone or something begins to change what we are used to, we often react, sometimes strongly against it. I’ve seen this happen in many different places and situations and it’s especially difficult to watch if the move to change is for the good.

Giving in to the fear of failure is the one mistake none of us can afford to make. The moment we chose to live safe, remain behind the walls of the known and settle for just good enough – we begin to place ourselves in the pile of yesterday’s news.

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“You miss 100% of the shots you never take” Wayne Gretzky

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“Failure is the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.” Henry Ford

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Jeremiah 8:4-5 – “The LORD said: People of Jerusalem, when you stumble and fall, you get back up, and if you take a wrong road, you turn around and go back. So why do you refuse to come back to me? Why do you hold so tightly to your false gods?” (CEV)

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I know I have stumbled and fallen flat on my face more times than I am able to count or care to remember, but I am convicted anew by the words of Jeremiah to get up, come back and turn from the false truth of what I have so often clung to – the belief of down for the count and out of the race. ( a little paraphrase liberty taken here)

I am pushing myself this week to not live afraid.
I am a little afraid at the thought of living not afraid.
Afraid can keep us safe.

But – the alternative is more unsettling.

If  we experience a  mistake it means We are ill breathing, growing and learning.

I consider this to be the better choice.

• How about you? Do you fear failure so much you have crawled into the shell of self-preservation?
• What one step are you willing to take this week to move yourself out of your comfort zone and out into the fray of living an authentic life?

Thank you for stopping by – I would love to hear how you push beyond the challenge of living afraid.

Blessings- Nancy!