We all slip- up!

The recently held Ms. Universe 2010 pageant was quite a success for the Filipinos in the midst of a worldwide controversy. Ms. Ma. Venus Raj is a living testimony that Pinays are gutsy and have what it takes despite the hullabaloos. But more than just the title and fame, Ms. Raj has proven to the world that committing a “major, major” mistake is just a matter of how we see it as we deal with the intricacies of life.

I have wondered too much before. I thought, I was already a big guy. Played far enough and fell to the pit of early fatherhood (Yes, for the first time I am not afraid to let the whole world that I am) and to make the situation worse, lots of “complexities” arises. Though I wouldn’t want to consider this as one of my mistakes, maybe it was more of the timing that is to be blamed.

I used to be an I-know-it-all guy. People around would often hate me for being the tactless git that I was. I was branded a braggart.

I used to decide impulsively. I like to run ahead of time. I want it to chase me. I always join every networking activity that would come my way even without having much thought of it. As a consequence, I am now under pressure of paying a 50 thousand scratch.

I used to be an alibi maker. I would make up endless excuses because I have forgotten a very important romantic date (with a girl..), or I was not able to finish a task that was given to me. As a result, the girls broke up with me for the lack of time and the trust I gained suddenly started to shake.

If I have to enumerate all those mistakes I have had, it could fill up the entire pages. I have already wept and regretted for those slip ups and don’t want to linger with the feelings anymore. Past is better let as past. It will not be of help to me to recall the bad memories especially now that I am starting to build a new life far from what went before. I know I have the need to move on, for I have learned the true value of time, chastity and patience.

…but come to think of it.. I will not be here if I haven’t committed those errors in my past. The lessons and reflections I have gained are intangible and will forever be a lifetime’s learning. Ms. Raj was so right in saying that those mistakes shouldn’t be treated as your own shortcomings but merely trials and challenges. They are God- given. They are the blacksmiths and you are the steel. They are the pot makers and you are the clay. They form and mold you to be your best. They hone us so we will have clear paths to success.

As of the moment, I am lost in trance of planning for my future. Mistakes are not problems. They are facts of life. They are responses to the errors that count..I still believe that there are no rights and wrongs.. it all depends on how we make our decisions.

“Make the mistakes of yesterday your lessons for today.” - Anonymous