Just keep going

This is powerful.
We tend to look at failure as an end, instead of a beginning.
But failure can open many doors, and the possibilities are endless.
 One more example from Meet the Robinsons:

Sometimes we forget that even the greatest people, known by the world have failed. 

But they never stopped trying. 

Don't Panic

So I'm kind of known for being ridiculously hard on myself, expecting myself to fit my own definition of perfect and setting insanely high standards for myself. My usual process when things go wrong is this: 

1.Panic

2. Beat myself up

Well, that process doesn't do anything great for anyone. 

First of all panicing only annoys people, mostly whoever you're panicing with, and second of all, life has a way of working itself out. No matter what the problem is, there is always a way to solve it. Sometimes the solution isn't what you expect or even believe, but the problem eventually works itself out. 

Secondly, beating yourself up is just as pointless. It's kind of like falling down a chasm and then sitting there, telling yourself that you belong in the chasm. Well, that won't exactly help you get out! You're not focusing on what's in front of you, what you have to accept and what you are able to do. 

So I guess this is my declaration. Yes I make mistakes, but I don't want to beat myself up anymore. I always give others the benefit of the doubt. I think it's time I give myself the same. 

And as my good friend Kim tells me, things happen for a reason. Maybe I'm meant to be in this situation now, so I can prepare for problems in the future. Maybe this new mindset will help me adapt to the changes I go through starting now. 

Just as the lotus flower blooms from the nastiest mud, I will bloom no matter the circumstances and do my best, because at the end of the day it's all I can do. And you know what? That's enough. 

New mindset. New adventure. 

BRING IT ON! 

Stumbling is part of the dance

So I went to a swing dance lesson tonight, and I learned more than swing dancing steps. 

As I watched the dancers, and did my own dancing, I learned that stumbling can be beautiful. You laugh and then you keep going, each step with more confidence. 

So, naturally I was nervous, telling every guy that asked me to dance that I was really new, and I would probably make a lot of mistakes. 

One of those guys said something that stood out to me. He said, "If you're having fun, do your mistakes really matter?" 

I think I paused, probably making yet another mistake, but this time I thought about it. I thought about all the mistakes I learned from. All the times I told myself that I had failed. All the crazy thoughts that echo in my head throughout the day, and I realized that even when I made a mistake, it didn't hold me back. One mistake could be my downfall or it could be one step closer to my goal. It could even be a stumble, but if I smile and laugh, will I regret that fall?