‘Oh, the so many mistakes!’

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – Confucius

REGARDLESS of the method, we will experience many mistakes in life, be it in working, loving, or just plain normal living.

Is it possible to live a life completely devoid of mistakes?

Mistake is defined as an action or judgment that is misguided or wrong (Oxford Languages).

I deeply admire a person who can admit that he made a mistake, learn from it, and find ways to improve — and did improve.

Lifelong learning is the art of living with our mistakes — the calmness amidst the storm. But we can also consider mistake as one of the stages in becoming better. As T. Harv Eker says, “Every master was once a disaster.”

To clarify, I am referring here to those who did not give in to self- pity when they encountered obstacles in pursuing their passion. Admittedly, we admire them for their outputs. They did not allow the “Oh, so many mistakes!” to overwhelm and overshadow their potentials. Here are some of them (sourced from online encyclopedias):

* Johann Sebastian Bach, a German composer and musician of the Baroque period, composed 1128 pieces of music.

* Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed over 600 works of symphonic, chamber, operatic, and choral music.

* Joann Kathleen Rowling was turned down by 12 publishers. The magic of Harry Potter didn’t initially work in the publishing industry.

* Stephen King had it worse. Nearly 30 publishers turned him away. His stories were branded as “science fiction with negative utopias.”

* And of course, Michael Jordan. He missed more than 9,000 shots in his career, including 26 game-winning shots. This G.O.A.T. lost almost 300 games.

Let me emphasize this phrase, pursuing one’s passion. To some of us, the practical demands of life deny us of such a commitment. But there are those who live their lives in such a manner.

Regardless of our present situation — especially with our current work status — we have to fight to keep our passion alive. To believe in our uniqueness and calling despite the discouragement or lack of support.

Although the i ndividuals I presented here seem to be impossible to emulate, I still believe that we are capable of honestly rating our own actions and accomplishments.

If we want to, we could be the best in our own field.

And when it comes to pursuing one’s passion, failure is not permanent. Rejections are surmountable. And success a humbling experience.

In a sense, quantity also leads to quality. This means that pursuing a passion is not an excuse to live a mediocre life. All things considered, we have to find bliss in difficulties, embrace life’s drudgery, and keep on working for better results.

A masterpiece is a product of hundreds and thousands of “not so good” results. This is related to the theory of deliberate practice and the 10,000 hours rule. Also, we have to take into consideration the learning-bydoing process. The action is both the instruction and feedback to improve on our next action and succeeding endeavors.

This is the beauty and mystery of learning. There is excitement in discipline and consistency. This is not about being the smartest; this is about being the toughest: the willingness to learn and do it again and again.

Sometimes, our environment may not be conducive for optimal growth. I believe that we are all influenced and shaped by our surroundings. We need to seek frequent interactions with people who can inspire us. We need to create our own space that cultivates the best in us.

Eventually, the enemy or hindrance will be our own selves. With the realization that we are in charge and have the freedom to decide, we just can’t always blame others no matter how valid our excuses are.

We live only once. Experience the fulfillment in pursuing your passion.

Give yourself the thrill of making a masterpiece. Create to contribute. Fight for the life you want to live./