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What to do When You Make a Mistake
It’s inevitable that you will make a mistake in your life. I am proof of this as I make them daily; some larger than others. I am not perfect. The question is how do you hand it? What do you do in such a situation?
There are many lessons to be learned in handling how to make mistakes; but more importantly is the reflection of the lessons learned. If you never learn the lesson then where do you go? What would be the point? The pattern would only continue and what would that prove besides you are merely capable of repeating the same mistake. If you are one who has never made a mistake then perhaps I can learn something from you.
Bottom line is that we all make mistakes. There is no way around this; at least for me. How about you? The biggest lesson you can learn and the biggest thing you can do for yourself is to apologize for it and then forgive yourself. While it may be humbling it is part of life and the quicker way you can get going is to get on with it. If you don’t you will only live with more regret and turmoil than before you made the mistake in the first place.
Today is still Valentine’s Day; for a little while longer. Should you be one who is out celebrating good on ya mate!
If you are single without a date or anything else; have no fear. You are still loved by the One who always has loved you before you could even comprehend it.
Now earlier today a great friend of mine made the comment that her husband who is from another country commented on the fact that American holidays are expensive for an American man. Hmm. Never thought of this way. Yes of course there is always that expectation that men woo their women on Valentine’s Day although I have to say I am an equal opportunist- any day is just fine with me. No need to wait for one day and the media and the retailers to help that one along. Just saying.
Now the oldest surviving Valentine was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife in 1415. Now isn’t that special? I’m sure he didn’t write it with the purposed of needing to have a #Valentine twitter account following for it it either. It was pure gesture in love. Where have those days gone?
Now we have come to 142 million cards will be shared this year with over 1200 styles to choose from. No in and out on this one folks!
The average customer is expected to spend $213 this year on this one day. Today 233 million roses for Valentine’s Day could wrap around the earth 3.8 times when laid end to end. The average cost of a dozen long-stem roses is $63, but jumps to $80 this time of year. Because that’s not a scam.
The price for dinner is averaged to be $83 and the increase in condom sales according to Durex is 20%. I’m guessing that men are making this purchase too.
More than 707 million dollars worth of candy is purchased on Valentine’s Day. That’s about 127 million pounds, or, the weight of six Eiffel Towers. That includes 4 million pounds of Necco Sweethearts. Roughly 100,000 are produced per day in the six weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. This year, the big spender can impress his date with solid-gold Sweethearts for less than $20k!
Now overall; according to the National Retail Federation the average American man will spend $170.00. If he doesn’t he may be spending more time in the dog house!
Overall; it’s a great way for American men to spend money, retailers to mark up flowers that die quickly; and women to enjoy how beautiful they are told they are. It’s all because we need a day to remind us of that. How does that make you feel?
Then what happens tomorrow? The sex is over, the makeup wears off, the hangover kicks in, the kids are crying for new $170.00 sneakers; and the credit card receipts are revealing that in reality you could do the same thing any day of the year and it would cost much less and probably have much more meaning. But hey- it’s all in love for the great Valentine’s Day experience.
It seems that with technology we can do it all. There is no need for others when you can just for .99 download the app to do it all. Why or what do we even need each other for? It’s a serious question to ask. What do you need people for? More than you think if you think about it.
Now it can be argued that just for the purpose of pro-creation which is a big duh so let’s get beyond that. The power that comes from partnerships is something you can’t get alone. When two or more come together; life happens. Life changes. People change. And isn’t that what we all can use? Some good healthy change with a side of chocolate cake? Or is that just me?
Who are the people in your life that are part of that change? Who are those you have to either balance your life, speak truth to your life; or just get you out of bed?
It took me a long time to grasp the need for other people. See; I was hurt. I was defensive. I was a survivor and it was people who hurt me so why do I want more people who would just do the same!? Hear me roar- pitifully that is. I thought I would do it all and while I have a wonderful testimony iron sharpens iron and we need one another to do life together.
If you ever want to see scary situations where people need each other just watch Ultimate Survival Alaska on the National Geographic Channel (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/ultimate-survival-alaska/) because it is such a testimony of the contestants needing each other. When one team of three is a man down it changes things. And not in a good way. They need each other and none of us are any different.
There are just some things that we in our vast amount of wisdom cannot figure out. For example; which diet or health plan? Where does one begin? You know once you get started with one and stop you will be back at the same place trying the same thing and never getting the results? Why else would Yahoo have a different article daily about what to eat and what exercises are the best? Perhaps you are going to a black tie event and need something to wear and have no clue. What store? What color? What length? (floor for black tie) What heals? How much? It’s so tiring to attempt to figure it all out.
Sometimes it’s better to not quit but surrender. Surrender that you can’t do it alone. Surrender to the fact that there are those who are there to help you and that they are placed there to be exactly what you need at that time. They need the support of you perhaps financially although what you are giving them you will get in return. There is no doubt.
I surrendered. I did. I am not afraid to admit it. It is amazing to say the least! The new partnerships that came over my life were and are so life-changing it’s incredible. It’s not about using people to get a means to an end; but rather developing partnerships for a lifetime. Isn’t that what we want anyway? Healthy, inspiring people who want the best for us? I know it is for me and I hope it is for you too.
It’s a simple question yet one all too often overlooked. I found myself looking in the mirror the other day and thought it would be like any other day. Well; it wasn’t. It reminded of years ago when I was challenged to sit in front of a mirror and just stare at myself to see what God sees. That’s a challenge all right; with a life changing outcome!
I ask you again- what are you investing in you? I took a long look not at the Eva Mendez mole that I have that people tend to comment on, not on the grey hair here or there that no one but me sees; but just a long look. It caused me to step back for a moment and pause.
How about you? Do you spend far too much time looking but not seeing? Perhaps now is the time to look at your investment and reflect on what your return on it actually is. You may be surprised.
What I saw has caused much change in my life. It’s always a challenge to go for radical change although if you don’t where will you be? You can’t do what you have always done and then not expect to get what you have always gotten. It just doesn’t work like that.
What did I see? I saw areas that need different investment for larger return.
1- I saw I was investing or sowing more in others than they were in me. I reflected on the relationships in my life where I gave more than I was receiving in return. I need to invest more in me and others who are not the sucker branches where I am better able to bring ripe fruit into my life.It’s not a selfish thing but reflecting on me and where I am to where I want to go and grow.
2- I saw the physical effects that Dallas has had on me and well; all the people I have met who too have moved from other healthy and fit cities. I didn’t beat myself up over what I saw but rather gravitated toward a lifestyle of one that will produce healthy results for lasting living and lifelong impact.
3- I saw an investment in a career that I dreamed of that isn’t quite the reality as I believe most people experience. Remember the days when McDonald’s was good? Sure you know what I am talking about? When you are able to see it for what you are you can make the change. I have better boundaries, hours; and results in the end.
4- I saw that life will suck the life out of you if you are not actively investing in yourself. I don’t mean the purchase of a new car, more clothes; or material things. I mean investing in you. The person that you are. There will always be more debt for a vehicle, more clothes that will be outdated in a few months; more tweets to post about it all and that isn’t investing in you. That is nothing but the trap of society to keep you from the right focus for actual living. Take a step back and look. Step back and see.
It’s all about choice. Choice to see. Choice to pay attention. Choice to change. Choice to choose. You may want to get on board and do something now before it’s too late. You would hate to not invest in the one thing that can change your life and then have to tell that to others what you never did.