stumbling

I try really hard to make good choices and decisions with the information and circumstances presented to me at any given time. Sometimes those decisions affect only me; sometimes they affect others in addition to me; sometimes they don't affect me at all, but are made on behalf of others.

Sometimes I mess up. It's little comfort knowing that my heart is in the right place when I make a bad call.

I have been fortunate along the way to learn to take responsibility for a mistake. The words, "I'm sorry, that was my mistake," are a whole lot easier to say than the weight of the error feels. Saying them matters. It matters to me that I be accountable for my choices. It matters to those who are affected. I believe, as well, that it matters to the mysterious balance and harmony of the cosmos.

Can you tell that I have messed up? I'm working through the feelings of that reality. It doesn't feel good, but that isn't what matters. I learn from this experience, this discomfort, this fallout, how to evaluate the variables the next time around. Of course those variables will be different the next time, as will the implications of whatever decision crosses my path.

That doesn't matter either, though. What matters is to to be open, to listen, to pay attention, consider outcomes and consequences and do the best I can.

Akin to the Nike commercial currently playing during the Olympics--everybody gets knocked down. How quick are you gonna get up?