Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Wednesday Wisdom

September 23, 2015

Today we have a quote by the great Ralph Waldo Emerson. The first time I saw it was in “The Happiness File” by Pam and Peggy Young – the Sidetracked Sisters. I can see how they were drawn to the quote having spent many years attempting to organize themselves and their families – hell, I’ve been there too. But I can see how it’s also a way to live – forgetting your past mistakes and making tomorrow better by having a better outlook on life – each day is new and all that. Here it is:

“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on yesterdays.”

I used to hold on to my mistakes and hardly let myself forget them. I would think about the smallest thing like feeling I looked stupid when talking with someone and go over and over it in my head. Somewhere over the last 7 years I stopped doing that. I think it’s when I realized I wasn’t the only one to have those moments – we all do. I wasn’t the only one whose toilet overflowed (a billion times). I wasn’t the only one to feel awkward with other people. We all do. Running over a curb when backing out of a parking space. I’ve seen other people do that too! And bigger mistakes meant intense worry – the kind that takes your health. Letting go of that ruminating has been very freeing and every time I have one of those moments and I don’t dwell on it, I realize just how far I’ve come in the last 7 years.

And that you’ve done what you could bit? For me it’s kids and housekeeping and all that – I do what I can, the best I can – each day. If something doesn’t get done well it’s probably going to be there to do tomorrow – no use worrying about all that either.

So, I had a good night of sleep last night, my plans are written down, and it’s the first day of Fall – pumpkin pies will be made. It’s a day that is good and fair.

2 comments
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On September 24, 2015 at 3:05 AM, dxprog said:

I'd put a slightly different spin on it: "Forget what you did, remember what you learned". Dwelling on small mistakes is indeed restricting (guilty as charged), but each and every one of them should be an opportunity to learn and better one's self.

On September 24, 2015 at 6:06 PM, java_queen said:

Oooh, I like that - and I agree!

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» Wednesday Wisdom » Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

Wednesday Wisdom

September 23, 2015

Comments

On September 24, 2015 at 3:05 AM, dxprog said:

On September 24, 2015 at 6:06 PM, java_queen said:

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