Mistakes and beliefs

This evening sees me dwelling on mistakes, the missed opportunities and the might have beens. Various discussions over the weekend have been about the paths not taken, and the paralysis that can come from making small decisions all of the time.

My mood isn’t dipping with it, however I’m considering the myriad paths. The ones where I didn’t decide on a course of action, or where I go back to an old way of being. It’s a thought exercise with no clear goal, instead a motivator to move and take action on things. Of course, the arrival of teeny bean soon is providing a focus here.

In balance and reflection I have taken actions, some good and some bad. All fuelled by what information I had at the time, and what I genuinely believed was the best course of action at that time. Some I do look back on and ponder different options, however that’s easy with the benefit of hindsight and with the experience I’ve gained since I made that decision in the first place. I must also recognise the privilege I have in being able to make mistakes and to recover from them and take different courses of action. Not everyone has that, and I must give some (grudging admittedly) thanks to my parental units for enabling me to make those decisions.

Finally, I must look at belief. The belief that I am making the right decisions, and the belief that I have the resources to enact those decisions. Belief is an item that if lost can be debilitating, depression to me has been a removal of that self-belief, a disbelief that change can occur. Without belief, I am nothing it seems. A dear friend co-opted the Nicene Creed a while back and posited her own. Thinking about it, I am not sure it is a creed, but a riff along those lines.

I believe in myself.

I believe that the actions I take are informed by the best of intentions and informed by the facts I have at that moment in time. I believe that I am allowed to make mistakes, and that by acknowledging and owning them I can rectify those that need it.

I believe that reflection and analysis will bring learning and wisdom, too much will bring despair and doubt.

I believe that I deserve to be happy, and I can act to maintain this. I am responsible for my own state, I am not responsible for anyone else’s. I may care and assist where I am able, however I am not the owner of the states of others.

I believe that logic is a useful tool for applying to my experiences of the world. I also believe that my actions should come from the heart.

Finally, I believe that shared pain is lessened and shared joy is increased.

Not quite a full blown creed, but a good starting point for the foundations of a personal one.

So, what might your creed be oh reader?

Mirrored from Never a dull moment. Please leave comments there thank you!