Stumble Forward Joyously

We all make mistakes. Lots of them. It's part of who we are and who we become.

The path of those mistakes can be rocky, full of self-doubt and negativity. They can be moments of laughter and embarrassment. They are moments for learning. Sometimes you can stumble without making any mistakes.

Stumbling is just the path

From laughing to crying, I want to be able to stumble forward joyously. Because, as a good friend told me the other day, no one has their shit together. No one. Sometimes they have it together for a small moment. Sometimes it's weeks.

But we all stumble.

Sometimes I stumble and I continue stumbling before someone catches me or I catch myself. (It's why I use this advice someone shared with me).

The stumble is not always pretty. It can feel pretty awful. Shameful, actually. It’s easy to lose hope, blame others and feel victimized while stumbling.

In the past, time and reflection have been my best friends when I am feeling shameful and fearful of failure. But I need to add acceptance to that trio so I can stumble joyously.

Making mistakes. Being criticized. Failing. They are all part of the stumble. Knowing that there is something good in most situations makes it a bit easier to take a deep breath and I stumble through it.

It's part of my ongoing efforts to live more authentically. Even that process has its stumbles.