I posted this picture on social media on a whim the night of our last GNO. Team HeartStories was horsing around in the photo booth while the rest of the ladies were winning at their Blackjack tables. I was right up in the lens of the camera because I was supposed to be pressing the timer button, but I was inadvertently taking photos. My favorite part is the “party” I captured in the background. Beth’s got her party face on and Lauren looks like she’s at a rave (especially if you could see the whole image). We were laughing so hard that night my abs were literally sore for several days.
My kids were mortified that I would actually post this pic online.
They said, “But Mom, what were you doing?? You look ridiculous! Did you mean to take that picture??” No. No I did not. But guess what boys? Sometimes the mistakes we make turn out to be some of the best gifts of our lives. This mistake brings me joy because it takes me back to that moment in a way the posed pictures we took next can’t begin to compare.
Mistakes are proof you are trying.
They’re proof you’re actually living. As good ‘ole Albert Einstein said, “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” The other option is to go back and try to hide all the mistakes. Only post the perfect photos. Never let ’em see you sweat. Back into the shadows and pretend it never happened. No thank you.
That’s not the life I want to live.
I’m guessing it’s not the one you want to live either. Here’s a good formula for how to handle mistakes: Don’t blame others. Own up to your choices. Forgive yourself. Learn the lesson.
Most importantly, keep going!
Obviously this picture represents one of my tiny mistakes and it’s easy to talk about because it’s humorous. But ALL of us have made big mistakes that we both can’t, and shouldn’t, post on social media. That doesn’t mean we can’t own them with the people involved in order to heal and move on.
“Everyone makes mistakes in life, but that doesn’t mean they have to pay for them for the rest of their life. Sometimes good people make bad choices. It doesn’t mean they are bad, it means they are human.”
You will make more mistakes.
If you can’t laugh about them, at least share them with a friend, forgive yourself and allow yourself to learn the lesson.
Hiding seems easier, but it’s no way to live.
to more love,
Crystal
P.S. If you’re planning to “Gather ‘Round” with us next Thursday, now is the time to get your ticket! Even with the new incredible space at Verona Villa, we are nearing capacity and have a hard stop on sales this Tuesday. We’d love to share our fun, but imperfect journey with you and your circle of friends that night!
