Thursday, September 27, 2012

Mistakes?

A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.

- Albert Einstein


I heard someone say that if they knew an error they made was going to be a mistake, they wouldn't have made it.

Guess that's true sometimes. Hindsight is 20/20, isn't it? 

Then there are missteps that are transformed into good things. Reminds me of the scripture in Romans 8:28.

Living is learning, that's for sure.

Mistakes are yet another thing to write about. I don't know about you, but my list is long. :) No complaints though, just lots of lessons learned.

Looking Ahead

Author Jody Hedlund joins us next week. Hope you can join us!

Have you had mistakes turn inside out for good? What new things have you tried lately?

Happy writing!

Have a great weekend,

Karen

P.S. Click here if you missed Monday's fabulous guest post with Alex Cavanaugh. It was a good one! :)

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

41 comments :

  1. It's only really a mistake if we don't learn anything from it.

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  2. If we never made mistakes, how would we know when we were doing something right?

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  3. Alex,
    Well, this is true! I think it's part of moving forward, you know?

    Diane,
    This is also true! I guess it's like hard times, how else will our character be tested and grow?

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  4. Mistakes are misguided attempts at success. If at first we don't succeed, we try, try again--hopefully. Thanks for the thoughts.

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  5. Oh, the mistakes I have made...but, oh, the lessons I've learned. Love the quote.

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  6. What a challenging quote, Karen.

    I look forward to seeing Jody here next week!

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  7. Carol,
    Yes, I think so. Thankful for God's grace and help as we try again. :)

    Loree,
    Me too! Some knowingly, others not, but all helping me get where I am supposed to be! :)

    Sarah,
    You really can look at this in different ways, you know? Yes, I am excited about having Joday along! :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  8. Sometimes our stumblings do turn out better than our best laid plans. So true!

    I'm trying to do book marketing and feel like I do nothing but stumble! I just remember we're not called to be successful, but faithful.

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  9. What fruit do we enjoy that has not been manipulated for its juiciness, its texture, sweetness, its other characteristics we enjoy? Each mis-take got us closer to perfection.

    We are engineers by nature. We try new things, until we are satisfied!~

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  10. ALL things work together for good for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose...There's a reason that Romans 8:28 is one of my favorite verses!

    Bless you, Karen (and everyone)! :)

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  11. Hi Karen,
    My days are filled with many mistakes, but hopefully I learn from them.
    Oh, today in the mail I received Sarah Sundin's book, which I won on your blog. Thanks so much.
    I can't wait to dig into it.
    Donna

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  12. My problem isn't making myself try something new. It's not taking on too many new things. In the course of 3 years I have started a conference, a writing group, writing retreats twice a year and switched from nonfiction to fiction with 1 1/2 finished manuscripts. Plus Im diving into some online classes. Whew! Mistakes? Plenty, but God has always picked up the pieces.
    Blessings!

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  13. Oh, goodness. I sure have. And that verse you added is comfort for sure. Thank you for that always-needed reminder that He's got it all in hand, that all things work together for good...

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  14. Laurel,
    I think you are right. I've stumbled into more good things than I can count! :) Congrats on your book!

    Rosaria,
    Yes, each mistake, misstep, or whatever you like to call it brings us closer to where we are to be. And we learn a lot in the process! :)

    Cheryl,
    You said it. And there is a plan, and sometimes it includes a detour or two to learn, right? :)

    Marja,
    Happy weekend to you too! I am sure you are using those talents well! :)

    Donna,
    Oh I think we learn, even if we go round the mountain an extra time or two! Glad you got the book. :) Hope you enjoy it!

    Jan,
    Wow, sounds like you are a busy lady and learning lots! Best wishes with all your projects! :)

    Sherry,
    That's it! You are right! Thanks for weighing in. :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  15. Rhonda,
    Glad you liked it. Well, and nothing takes Him by surprise, you know? :)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  16. Great post, Karen! Hindsight is 20/20 yet how would we know? We live and learn by making mistakes.

    Nas

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  17. I'm with you, Rom. 8:28 covers it. Whatever we've done, God can straighten out the crooked lines, so we need not fear getting too far off track. And I'm with Alex, mistakes are only for naught if we don't learn anything.

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  18. Hi Karen - always true .. and always something to be learnt. So often I think things have gone wrong - yet they turn out right ... probably more right than they should apparently do sometimes .. there's always a reason. But learning from mistakes is a good way to move forward - the only way ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  19. Nas,
    Thank you! Yes, hindsight, ah, what we wouldn't do to have it ahead of time! :)

    Mare,
    I agree, and I have many a crooked line on my path's history. :) I too, like what Alex said.

    Hilary,
    You are right - learning from mistakes is an excellent way to move ahead!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  20. Mistakes for me can be a little fun, why because after making one I will make another trying to get out from making my last mistake,lol. Richard from Amish Stories

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  21. I've definitely got a long list of mistakes, and I hope I've learned from some/most of them. Learning is every day and lifelong . . .

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  22. I have a habit of learning everything the hard/wrong way, it seems. But I get there in the end. :)

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  23. Mistakes always bother me, even if I learn from them, even if the problem it causes is resolved. I'm kind of OCD like that!

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  24. I learnt lots from two mistakes I made: one in writing and one in my personal life. Now, I am glad I made them.

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  25. You gotta make mistakes to gain experience. TRUTH.

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  26. Richard,
    Ha, well I guess one thing can lead to another sometimes! We learn eventually!

    Tyrean,
    Me too - a long list, that is! Living IS learning, isn't it? And mistakes are part of that sometimes. :)

    Carrie,
    Well, some lessons stick better for some that way, right? :)

    Lydia,
    I get aggravated with my mistakes, but I am learning to let them go as I get older. Well, mostly, anyway!

    Rachna,
    I know, it's good to look back sometimes and see what they taught us and where we ended up.

    Laura,
    Yes, very true! And build character, too, I'm thinking!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  27. Boy can I relate to this post. I'm always trying new things, and I don't think anyone makes more mistakes than I do :-)

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  28. Mistakes? Oh, yeah. And trying new things? YES. As you point out, though, mistakes aren't always horrible as they often lead us to something better.

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  29. Amy,
    Well, I make a fair share off mistakes too! I think we are ok as long we keep learning!

    Lisa,
    Glad you can relate! Learning from them is the key, as you said.

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  30. Yes, I have made several mistakes coming up. But I also like to think I have learned from them.

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  31. Hi Karen,
    You just made me feel so much better for the mistakes I have done so far.
    I am glad, I was courageous enough to face the challenge even if i am not the winner of the race.

    From the many mistakes, one of them is telling others to keep the Kitchen clean and then daring to post signs so that we can remind ourselves that WE ARE HOUSEMATES AND WE HAVE TO CLEAN THE MESS THAT WE HAVE MADE. You know, we sometimes consider such notification as rude or sometimes, just convincing others as unclean enough. But I was so tired of cleaning the kitchen every time. After pasting the signs in the kitchen, "Keep the Kitchen clean and Tidy", I felt so bad thinking they would think bad of me and blah blah.

    But I think, I did the right thing. I see Kitchen clean now and your current post just made me feel much better :D
    Thanks Karen! :D

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  32. Hi Karen. Can't think of any mistake right that turned inside out for good. Hmmm, perhaps a job in the past and making a decision to leave an old job - which turned out to be a very good decision. Life doesn't show us the whole pictures...we will only know the outcome after sometime.

    Thanks for sharing the quotes.

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  33. I read this somewhere: Mistakes are the stepping stones to success...( or something along those lines)
    Makes sense!

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  34. I know I'm not done making lots and lots more mistakes but when I have and I do use my 20/20 hindsight, I like that some of these mistakes have turned out ok!
    Take care
    x

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  35. The mistakes I most wish hadn't happened were the ones that hurt someone needlessly. But you're right, Karen, we're not in control of the future. We can only live life to the fullest.

    Yes, Alex's post was excellent.

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  36. Sometimes I regret my past mistakes, but I try to see how my life is better because of them - what I learned from them, or what else happened because of this one misstep. It helps.

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  37. Cecelia,
    I think we all do, you know? At least we learn what not to do! lol :)

    Yeesi,
    Well, I am glad to have encouraged you a bit! A clean kitchen is always nice too. :) We're always learning something, aren't we?

    Len,
    Well, like you said, we don't always see the whole picture, but I think even mistakes help place us where we are, and where we are supposed to be. :)

    Michelle,
    And I've heard the stepping stones thing, too - really, it is true. They are part of the path that we took to get where we were meant to be. Right or wrong, we are here now, and they help shape or teach us who we are.

    Kitty,
    Oh me too. Plenty more mistakes are probably waiting to happen! lol But then, I've learned to lighten up some as I've gotten older. Always learning something, aren't we? :) You take care too, thanks!

    Joylene,
    Oh I hear you. All we can do is trust God to work it out. Savor each day and learn what you can, right? :)

    Caryn,
    I do too. I think your perspective is a good one; try and learn something through it all. :) Good to meet you!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  38. Karen:

    Hindsight has shown me that some of my mistakes were akin to doors that needed to be closed in my life. Sometimes my bumbling closed the doors for me, and other times God nudged doors shut to prevent me from continuing on my erroneous path.

    I try to learn from mistakes. Depending on the situation, some lessons are easier to discern than others.

    Thought-provoking post! Hope you have a great week to come. :-)

    Janette

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  39. Janette,
    That's an interesting point - doors - and I've found this to be true as well. You are right; some lessons are easier than others! :) Thanks for your input.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!