The Last Dinosaur - "Mistakes Into Fish-cakes" (#4)

          

Mistakes, embarrassing moments!  Who hasn't experienced these?  (And a global silence now descends!) We've all had them!  Whether you're a public figure or not, we've all had these moments.

Let's list some of them shall we? The mic that appears to be stuck with super-glue and refuses to budge; the old friend whose name you can't recall;  someone stops to give you a ride, you prepare to move only to discover it's for the person next to you;  your own phone number you suddenly forget when filling out a form etc, etc.

These are all embarrassing moments we wish we could undo.  And, because they occurred in the presence of an audience, (doesn't matter the size!) they are forever etched in our memories.

So, what can we do? Here are a few suggestions:

            1.  Realise that we are human  beings and all fallible. (Even machines malfunction & refuse to

                 obey us even though we scream at them!) 

            2.  Stop re-hashing the incident.  This only serves to further embed it.

            3.  Take corrective measures:

                   

·         We can turn the embarrassing  moments into what I call a  fish-cake. A fish-cake in this  context  is really a local term which means to make something good out of something bad.  I’ve found that joking about the mistake helps me to get over it and lessens it in the eyes of the audience (who are probably not thinking about it much anyway).  And please, always keep in mind, mistakes do not define us, neither are they an indication of our own ability, or lack thereof.

·         Take responsibility. Some mistakes are serious and can alter the course of someone's life. Maybe an apology or/and some restitution is necessary.  Whatever, do some type of damage control.

Speaking of damage control, this is really one of God's areas of expertise.  He delights in and excels at changing lives considered worthless into lives pregnant with purpose.  There are numerous testimonies both in and out of the Bible of people whose lives have been transformed by God.  And, you know what?  Yours can be one of them.  Why not ask Him today.                                      

Notes: 

"Fish-cake (fish-kāk) n. Bajan delicacy, a 'must' at social gathering; social unrest ensues if not available."  Kerina's Contemporary Dictionary]

©Kerina Hall