#417 Is failing really a failure?

You know I like word games, my friend.

Let’s play with mistakes today.

I don’t like that word—such a negative emotional charge.

And what’s the opposite of a mistake, anyway?

We have a word for doing things wrong, but not for doing things right?

Could we call mistakes lessons?

Bleh, so bland. Heard that a million times before.

What about misguided actions?

Better. Actions that guide me away from my intended outcome. And after a misguided action, I adjust my strategy. I course-correct. Until I get it right and take… guided action?

We’re not there yet. But guided and misguided actions… I don’t know about you, my friend, but to me, that’s going in the right direction.

A bit like traction and distraction.

But that’s a word game for another day.

It’s easy to be non-violent when you’re in a flower garden

Josh Waitzkin – The art of learning

It’s easy to be kind to others when the world has always been kind to you.

It’s easy to say you want to be a writer when you never really put yourself out there to prove it.

To learn writing, I must confront the uncomfortable parts of writing – and learn not to respond by running away from it.

To learn non-violence, I must confront violence – and learn not to respond with violence in return.

To learn kindness, I must confront being hurt – and learn not to use that as an excuse to perpetuate the cycle of hurt.

To build trust in myself, I must stay true to my values under difficult conditions.