It's about mistakes

            Nobody wants to look stupid. Whether you are in a group of friends or you are the friendless one of the group, the one thing that is on your mind is leaving your audience with a good impression. This can not always be done, as we all know, and we put our foot in our mouth far more often than we would like. While this by itself can be embarrassing, it is often our attempt at recovery that can make us look downright foolish. So if it is these attempts that truly show our failings, why do we even try them? Why do we attempt to save-face if it could possibly do nothing but expand our mistakes? It is because we are taught to strive for that "A+" in everything, no matter what the cost.
            Life doesn't come with grades; it's built on relationships. Why do we then strive for "perfection" when the idea of it is different for everyone? We put it in our heads that success is about doing everything right. What we don't see is that progress is much more based on mistakes, those little bumps on the road of life, that steer us towards success. Thomas Edison stated, "I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work."
            Mistakes can really take a toll on a persons ego, but, when treated right, can also be an ego booster; it's all about how you take it. If your mistakes cause you shame, you will never be able to live up to your expectations. If you view your mistakes as a learning experience, you will grow internally towards your goals. If you accept your mistakes, even laugh at them, you can put yourself farther up on the path to being who you want to be. Your mistakes may embarrass you, but you'll never grow from them until you accept what you did and try to not do it again. Self pity doesn't help you here; you need to move onward with a better perspective. The journey to success is a long road of mistakes, but as long as you let each mistake guide you, you'll wind up where you want to be.