“There are no mistakes, no coincidence. All events are blessings given to us to learn from.”

~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

 

The common, and unfortunately accepted, definition of the word mistake is an error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness or insufficient knowledge.

The words in the definition wrap the concept of mistake in other types of thoughts and actions such as opinion, judgement and lack of knowledge that leave us not feeling very good about the whole thing or ourselves. So much so that there has been and continues to be advice or encouragement imparted by many to let us know that it is OK to make mistakes as long as we learn from them, and that everyone makes mistakes. But overall, it all carries a negative connotation and can even have us put more pressure on ourselves or think less of ourselves.

We need to break out of this mindset—the mindset that mistakes exist and the action of judging ourselves by what or how we “do” when we think or someone else thinks we messed up, we failed or did something “wrong.”  We need to stop heeding the advice that mistakes are how you learn—and that carry this unspoken warning of “but make sure it doesn’t happen again.” This breeds fear, imposed by yourself; and living your life and approaching all you do in this state is unhealthy and is not what the Universe meant for you. You need to flip the paradigm and stop thinking in duality—mistake or accuracy, mistake or correctness. 

Everyday we are growing, evolving and ascending. Everyday there are opportunities to build more awareness and understanding. This happens through our experiences and how we flow through these experiences. It is not about making course corrections in your life to try to get it back on track so you can reach your final destination. First, you are on track, and more importantly, there isn’t a final destination. There are many destinations—places to be for sometimes a short stay and sometimes for a longer stay. Along your life, embracing and accepting them all is fundamental.

In your experiences there are things you do or don’t do—all in the context of a moment or even seasons of your life.  All is as it is to be—and nothing is a mistake. All experiences move us forward, even in the moments when it may not feel that way. And if you are experiencing repeats or similar situations, feelings and emotions it is not that you are repeating what you may define as mistakes, there are however some things in your life that you need to experience until you get from them what you need to know to be able to move on.

So I ask that you drop the thought and word mistake from your vocabulary. The word mistake can be toxic. Have faith that everything you go through grows you—and nothing you have done, do or will do will ever be a mistake.