When You Make a Mistake (And You Will)

Do you ever make mistakes?

Just kidding. Of course you do. Everyone does. If we aren't messing up and learning, we aren't really growing.

And yet most of us walk around with this false (and IMO dangerous) expectation that we should be perfect. That we'll be judged if we screw up.

And yeah, you probably will be judged.

But so what? Does their opinion change who you are? Does it mean you actually messed up...just because someone said you did?

As an artist, I've made countless mistakes. Sometimes they end up in the scrap pile. Sometimes they push my work in a completely different direction. Every time, I learn something. Every time, zero shame.

Because failure isn't fatal.

But you know when refusing to admit mistakes becomes catastrophic? Leadership.

This week, a second American was gunned down in the street by unqualified, poorly trained and hot-headed thugs posing as government agents.

And once again, instead of admitting a mistake or showing even a shred of empathy — our so-called "leadership" doubled down.

Before the body was cold, the narrative was set. Character assassination begun. Justifications amplified. Any other possibility shut down.

Someone was killed in broad daylight. Someone who was coming to the aid of another person who had been assaulted. By the very people who claim they're protecting us.

And before an investigation even began, the coverup when into overdrive.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Let's say it was a mistake — that things escalated and someone ended up dead.

Let's even say their intentions are pure, that they're genuinely trying to keep people safe.

If that's true, wouldn't they be horrified by this outcome? The result is literally the opposite of what they supposedly intended.

So it's hard to reach any other conclusion than that safety isn't really the intent. That's why they rush to defend their actions, no matter how horrifying.

There will never be an admission of a mistake. It's not how they roll. The tell? They consider admitting mistakes weakness.

That is when failure is fatal.

Admitting you made a mistake isn't weakness. Mistakes happen all the time.

But when you make one, do you acknowledge it so you can learn and grow? Or do you double down and blame someone else?

You are the creator of your own life. If you fuck up, it's 100% on you.

That's not bad news. In your everyday life, failure isn't fatal. It's meant to teach you something.

People will judge you. That's part of it. Doesn't change who you are or your value.

When you realize that, you can ease up on yourself (and others) when mistakes naturally occur. You can own it and move forward constructively.

And keep shining.