Let’s face it, we all initially strive for utopia.

We want to find the perfect job and have the perfect wedding.

We will avoid the parenting mistakes our parents made and the list goes on.

We start out thinking we know it all and receiving advice is a hit our ego isn’t willing to take.

And for a blissful while, some of us fool ourselves into thinking we have in fact solved the quintessential life riddle and gotten it all exquisitely correct.

But then God comes knocking to remind us nothing is learned from perfection. 

Our parents didn’t get it wrong they got it ‘human.’

An affliction we all suffer from.

I happened to love the years I seemed to have it ‘right.’ In fact, I’m not going to lie. I still miss them now and then. When my kids looked at me adoringly rather than scornfully. When I was fairly certain they wanted to replicate their childhood rather than repel themselves from it.

I wish I could have spared them my mistakes. 

I’m sure my mother wished the same. 

But that wasn’t God’s plan.

We are put on this earth to become better people and minister to those who can learn from our pain. We are not put here to be perfect. I tried for years to spare my children and myself the suffering which accompanies divorce.

I can continue to judge myself and be judged OR I can be inspired by them.

The following are 5 Reasons to Be Inspired by Our Mistakes:

They Humble Us

When we are seemingly doing everything ‘right,’ it’s easy for our egos to lead the way. When this happens we have a lot to say to people about how life should be lived. Makes sense, we are doing such a great job after all.

It can be quite crushing to be humbled. 

It is often overwhelming to admit you have made a terrible mistake or you need to ask for help.

Nonetheless, being humbled diminishes our judgments of others – always a good thing.

They Pare Our Lives Down

Everyone loves a winner. The stands are full when the racehorse is a sure thing but when that stallion stumbles the stable can become a lonely place.

At first, it can be devastating to watch who stays and who goes. 

It’s difficult to comprehend who loved the actual horse and who loved the winner.

Nonetheless, this pares our lives down to the most meaningful people – always a good thing.

They Get Our Priorities Straight

We have a tendency to spread ourselves too thin in our quest for doing all things correctly. We get a sense of pride and satisfaction from covering so much professional and personal territory.

Mistakes can center us.

They make us take a step back and evaluate what led us to this crossroads.

It’s hard to surrender and accept our imperfections and even harder to release obligations.

Nonetheless, mistakes bring a renewed focus to our lives – always a good thing.

They Enrich Us

When we are riding high and winning all of our professional and personal races we aren’t learning much. We have already figured out a way to be the first to the finish line.

Let’s face it, no one wants a tutorial when they believe they’ve already ribboned in the topic.

Life, however, is the most complex of subjects and thus, demands we all remain students of it.

Our egos can make evoke resistance to a continuing education.

Nonetheless, mistakes promise to bestow valuable lessons – always a good thing.

They Bring Us Closer to God

Many of us turn to God in need even while we have neglected to turn to him in thanks. In the happiest of times, we may remain grateful and try and live a life of service and charity.

We keep accumulating personally and professionally.

There isn’t much emotional turnover.

It’s hard to walk away from the party at the winner’s circle. It’s so much fun, after all.

Nonetheless, in happy times we are quiet and in unhappy times, we talk to God – always a good thing.

 

No one wants to admit their mistakes yet, it takes great confidence to do so.

Perfection is not a proper goal in life.

It is an illusion we somehow feel better portraying to others or the world.

It’s ego. 

It’s pride.

We can actually become enriched and inspired by our mistakes.

Not to mention far better human beings.

 

 

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