Mistakes and disadvantages
I am reading David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. It is really inspiring how he explains how what is perceived to be a disadvantage to some can actually be an advantage. Ever notice how many stories you hear of people immigrating with a couple bucks in their pockets and the shirt on their backs work hard and build successful businesses and lives. The disadvantage of necessity. Work hard or starve! Then on the other hand those that get it all handed to them can't seem to manage what their parents built for them. Strangely I have found that my entrepreneurial spirit soars when it has to and lays dormant when I have no goal. The goal often seems to center around making good on payments.
Carter Gillies put up a piece by Neil Gaiman on FB. I googled Neil and found his words really resonated with me.
I sent this piece of his to the group I am mentoring in wood firing for the Hamilton Potters Guild.
Carter Gillies put up a piece by Neil Gaiman on FB. I googled Neil and found his words really resonated with me.
I sent this piece of his to the group I am mentoring in wood firing for the Hamilton Potters Guild.
“I hope that in this
year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.
So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.
So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman
Comments
The other of the two is being able to meet great teachers.