In reviewing my personal history, these are by far the three biggest life lessons I’ve learned. It seems they came to me at a glacial pace, sigh. Maybe if I had paid more attention or been more self-aware it wouldn’t have taken so long.
On the other hand, being forced to face my transgressions means that life’s tough love lessons tend to stick, giving me solid examples to share in my speeches, books and intimate conversations.
As an inspirational speaker and self-help writer, sometimes people admire me too much, and I like to remind them that I’m a “good bad example.” Yes, I’m willing to talk about my mistakes, failures and embarrassments because they are typical of what it’s like to be a human being.
We are all imperfect creatures, living, loving, and pursuing our livelihoods in a less than perfect world. Being honest and authentic, being willing to own up takes the edge off social “performance pressure”. We can quit worrying about what others think of us because they, too, have gone off the rails a few times.
In many ways, we have more in common with others than we do differences. As the saying goes, “the more personal you are, the more universal you are.” The bonds we share with others are formed by our mutual lack of perfection.
So here I am, flaunting some of my mistakes without fear or self-consciousness. Sometimes the reality that I’ve messed up makes me both humble and proud, humble that I had to learn the hard way and proud that I finally figured it out.
© Leslie Charles, Speaker, Author, Consultant. leslie@lesliecharles.com
