A Mistake Is but an Error: An Ironic-Poetic Odyssey for Human Authenticity and Audacity

Recently I came across a quote that captured my attention:  “An error is only a mistake if you don’t correct it.”  I liked its recognition of our less than perfect humanity.  (This becomes more salient with an aging mind.)  In addition, the aphorism affirms that it’s not always the initial action that’s critical; one’s ability to respond effectively to subsequent feedback often has the lasting effect.  It sort of complements an inverted aphormation of the Stress Doc:  Learn to Fail or Fail to Learn!

And I also recalled an earlier discussion with the Director of Education of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.  There may be interest in my doing a “Resilience & Risk-taking” program for their Youth Group.  What kind of message would speak to both older teens as well as adults?  Finally, the error/mistake line also captured my poetic imagination.  Perhaps “A Mistake Is but an Error” will be a cathartic and imaginative adventure.  Feel free to share.  Enjoy!

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A Mistake Is but an Error:

An Ironic-Poetic Odyssey for Human Authenticity and Audacity

 

A mistake is but an error

Why the reign of holy terror?

Must there always be a loser?

Is it really now or never?

Don’t let hyper-controlling order

Invade a sense of your own border.
Life and death is true urgency…
All else is but priority!

Perfection…Living Perfection
Grows from seeds of rejection
Perfection…Sterile Perfection
The dark side of depression.

An error is but a failure
To this I shout, “Hallelujah!”
Despite hand-wringing and the fury
Of inner voices – judge and jury
The only time you are a twit:
Not learning from and laughing with it.

Perfection…Fine Perfection
Elaborate preparation
Perfection…Exact Perfection
A formula for inaction.

A failure’s but a minor trauma
Despite the tears and family drama.
Reject that “b.s.” – be safe – mantra
Ride the bull in the arena.
To outwit your b.s. box
Wrestle with this paradox:
Do Strive High and Embrace Failure!

Perfection…Rigid perfection
More chronic constipation
Perfection…Timid Perfection
About time for an eruption.

A trauma morphs into disaster
When you just run faster, faster
Making it a fearful master.
Embrace the pain, face your sorrow
Both today and tomorrow.
To realize Buddha mind
Meditate on your behind!

Perfection…Driven Perfection
Oh high and mighty obsession
Perfection…So Pure Perfection
Better get thee to confession.

A disaster’s but a danger
Unless treated as a stranger
While bottling up your anger…
Now who you gonna hit?
Still, I’ve given you an answer
To fight this alarmist cancer:
Be a wise man and a wise guy
An Athena flying sky high.
Resist that square peg-round hole fit –
Learn to surrender…never quit!

Perfection…Blind Perfection
Denies failure’s potentiation
Risk-Averse Perfection
Blocks the bridge to aspiration.

Epilogue-Epitaph

Poke gentle fun at your own flaws
A tried and truly noble cause
For muting know it all’s and boors
With some punch & polish, well placed grit.

Write about and roam the earth
Spread seeds of hope, songs of mirth
Your loving, lasting epitaph:
A wily-warm, wise-wicked wit!

Perfection…Flawless Perfection
An ideal of conception
The “Illusion of Perfection”
Saved by human imperfection!


Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a national keynote speaker and "Motivational Humorist" known for interactive, inspiring and FUN programs for government agencies & major corporations.  A Critical Incident Consultant for the National EAP/Wellness Co., Business Health Services, the Doc also leads “Stress, Team Building and Humor” programs for the military.  A former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service, Mark is the author of Practice Safe Stress, The Four Faces of Anger, and Resiliency Rap.  For more info on the Doc's "Practice Safe Stress" programs or to receive his free e-newsletter, email stressdoc@aol.com or call 301-875-2567.