| If you are on a path of purposeful personal | | | | a new skill that we're not going to get it |
| growth, you will have to learn how to forgive | | | | right the first time. We know we will make |
| yourself to see progress. | | | | mistakes. So, why are we so much more willing |
| | | | to forgive our mistakes in learning new |
| Now, before you start balking at the idea, | | | | skills like bike riding, than in learning a |
| let me give you an example. | | | | new skill in creating and living a happy |
| | | | life? |
| Remember when you learned to ride a bicycle? | | | | |
| I'm pretty sure you didn't just hop on and | | | | Most of us are much harder on ourselves than |
| ride away into the sunset. Instead, you fell | | | | we are on others, and we tend to hold grudges |
| off, probably several times until you learned | | | | with ourselves for much longer, as well. But |
| how to balance and push the pedals at the | | | | how are you supposed to learn if you don't |
| same time. Once you mastered balance, you may | | | | allow yourself the room to make mistakes |
| have had to perfect your steering so you | | | | along the way? If you forgive yourself for |
| could turn corners or turn around without | | | | not being perfect from the start, for not |
| crashing. | | | | getting it right the first time, you allow |
| | | | yourself to try again and make progress. If |
| Granted, most people would not consider | | | | you don't forgive yourself the mistakes you |
| forgiveness a requirement for learning how to | | | | make along the way, you stunt your growth and |
| ride a bicycle, but it is there, nonetheless. | | | | remain stuck where you are. |
| What would have happened if the first time | | | | |
| you fell of the bicycle, you labeled yourself | | | | Everyone makes mistakes. We're human. It |
| "an uncoordinated loser" and never tried | | | | happens. Holding yourself and your growth |
| again? Ridiculous, I know. But, you didn't do | | | | hostage by not forgiving yourself your |
| that, and the reason is you forgave yourself | | | | mistakes serves no useful purpose. You |
| the mistake and got back up and tried again. | | | | certainly don't benefit, and neither does |
| | | | anyone else. So if you want growth, learn to |
| It seems to be more of a given when learning | | | | forgive yourself. |