Making Beautiful Mistakes

The whirlwind of the holiday season is upon us, bringing celebrations, loneliness, gratitude, and perspective. I'm a recovering <insert many different labels here> but for the sake of this topic - perfectionist. For so long, I feared making mistakes. The consequences (when it doesn't work out) usually don't feel good, and we learn from them. Sometimes we don't, but that's a topic for another article.

A fearless leader recently shared how he was severely injured while doing something he loved. His puppers also contracted the potentially deadly disease parvo, which could have been mitigated with vaccinations and some preventative steps. When it rains, it pours. As someone who has seen more than my fair share of life-changing experiences, according to a credentialed professional, it's a dark and recent reminder of how fragile life is.

Yet, I still struggle with the "shoulds."?My inner critic, she's also what I call "the voice of society."?It's not quite my conscience because it's not a moral struggle. To do what is expected or accepted isn't a question of morality. My heart often respectfully (and sometimes disrespectfully) disagrees. My mind says I should stay in and work (which I should, for my future). While my heart screams, "Life is short. Go somewhere. Take in all that life has to offer."?

Yet I'm prone to overthinking because I only have a finite amount of energy to use wisely. Frankly, I can't control others or the drama they may bring. They'll come out of nowhere and bring it. One hard lesson I've learned as I get older (and am still learning) is when to let my heart make my decisions.??

Following the "shoulds" hasn't been lucrative or beneficial, but it's been safe and steady. Neither has throwing caution to the wind. I seesaw between responsibility and discipline and moments of weakness, which I throw caution to the wind with reckless abandon. I can't always be good. I'm only human. I feel completely alive for those brief moments, although sometimes the consequences come back to bite me. Other times, that big swing changes the trajectory of my life completely. All that to say...

I delight in being around and watching others make the brave choice. To take in every breath of life and live it to the fullest, even if they learn from its crappy consequences. We're all here to learn. This holiday season, I'm cheering on the risk-takers willing to be brave, swing big, and share their failures (if it doesn't work out). Because many times it does work out. I see you.?

Thank you for being you.

Thanks to God for bringing other risk-takers into my life so we can cheer each other on as we make beautiful mistakes in this journey together.