Okay to Mess up if You Learn From the Mistake
The day I learned to accept the consequences of my decisions.
Hi there!
“Where’s your coat?” my mom asked when she caught me walking out the door wearing only my blue hoodie.
“I don’t need one,” I growled without turning around.
“You know the rule,” she told me.
Yes, I knew the rule. It was March in Wisconsin, and although the previous few days had been unseasonably warm, there was no reason today would be the same.
My parents had a coat rule: if the temperature was below 50 degrees, you had to wear a winter coat.
“Mom,” I whined in my worst fifth-grader voice, “It’s 46 degrees. It’s going to warm up.”
“You know the rule,” she repeated.
“Mom,” I drew out her name for several seconds.
“Fine,” she said, turning to walk away. “I don’t want to hear any complaining when you freeze today.”
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”
- Elbert Hubbard
Scott Ninneman publishes two newsletters each week. The Sunday All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off Substack) features the newest content about bipolar life. The Speaking Bipolar Positivity Club Newsletter shares inspirational stories three times a week to help you maintain a positive mindset.
My Short-Lived Victory
I skipped to the bus stop, elated by my victory.
Morning recess went fine. I was cold, but I kept telling myself it would warm up. I just had to make it through morning recess.
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