Mistakes Happen

Recently, I became aware of a situation that led to the demise of a relationship. The individual was distraught over their part in what probably was an inevitable end. Those of us who knew them, saw it coming sooner than the people involved. We watched as they grew apart, as the diagnosis of the mental health of one partner became too much for the other. It was a relationship that started before they really knew one another – they kind of rushed into it. Though they had the best of intentions, the baggage was too great.

I watched as Person A melted down – they had some inappropriate conversations online (no, I don’t know Adam Levine) which Person B discovered and the seeds of distrust were sewn. A further transgression led to Person B having an online dalliance and eventually, maybe inevitably, the relationship ended. I was not there to judge the people – though personally, I don’t think monogamy is that hard of a practice. Love the person you are with – don’t engage in relationships with others – work on what you have (as long as what you have is mutual, loving and healthy). I digress.

I am a – I guess sucker – is the right word here for people who take the blame for things. I want to support them and let them know they are not alone. I merely said to Person A – “There are erasers on the ends of pencils for a reason. Forgive yourself your mistakes. Learn from it and grow.” The amount of positive feedback I received for that simple statement was astounding and told me that a lot of people have never heard it before. It’s true – mistakes are common because we are human. What’s important is what you do with that information.

My dad was famous for spouting off the Poor Richard’s Almanac type of colloquialisms. In each of them lies some truth – with the exception of “Straight as the crow flies.” That one makes little sense to me and I will argue with my husband forever that it is not actually a saying lol. Anyway, what expression do you use that has become part of your vernacular. Is there truth in it?