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Shusheng Li

Professor Smyrl

ESL117A-2550

Date: September 12, 2023

Reconciling with Mistakes is the Key to Success

In the generous vastness of human existence, the concept of competition has always been

intertwined with our journey. The concept of defeat echoes relentlessly, warning people that one

misstep could make them contenders for the unfortunate title of "losers" in life's race, steering

them from their appointed path. It's as if all life is confined within a single lane, brimming with

obstacles from start to finish. Just one deviation is akin to derailment, casting a person's life into

a derailed train. Many courageously wrestle with these concepts, and students are no exception.

When exam results disappoint, the pressure of self-blame is amplified. Setbacks in academics

plunge many students into a temporary abyss of depression, clouding their perspective of the

world. Moreover, the ghost of neglected studies haunts students during holidays, robbing them of

sheer joy. However, oh how nature alters with time! With social evolution, individuals gradually

grasp - no mistake is irreversible. Imperfection is an undeniable facet of humanity. Pursuing

perfection is an unattainable mirage. The essence lies in acknowledging and embracing our

errors, navigating life with different attitudes, and discovering the imperfections we once feared

have enriched this journey.

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Embarking on a voyage through the wrong scenery, the crucial first step is to embrace

them. In this imperfect world, perfection is an elusive fantasy, and life's journey often presents

turbulence rather than smooth sailing. Adolescence, a dynamic phase, often sees individuals

struggling to maintain rationality, succumbing to impulsive mistakes about trivial matters.

Reflecting on these experiences, many individuals label their mistakes as "irreparable," wallow

in the quagmire of "life 's mistakes," and lose the power to shape their future. However, the

effects of adolescent blunders do not necessarily cast an indelible shadow over one's entire life.

The true arbiter of human destiny lies within the realm of mentality. Consider the highly

contrasting saga of Jacky and Mr. Ross, the author of "I Only Wanted to Be Ordinary." Jacky

was once praised for his extraordinary academic prowess, but as a teenager he spiraled away due

to family conflicts. He abandoned learning and living, adopted a nihilistic stance, and missed the

opportunity to enroll in prestigious schools. The aftermath was regret and self-recrimination,

which weakened his academic pursuits in high school, and stunted his dream university

aspirations.(1) Unlike Jacky, Mr. Ross found himself drifting down career paths due to

administrative errors. He did not harbor blame, but gracefully accepted the error, transcended the

constraints imposed by the error, and carved out a distinct academic path for himself. This stark

contrast underscores the profound impact of accepting mistakes(34). It is a vital insight that is

the key to breaking the shackles of past failures.

Embracing the second key step to errors and failures is

recognizing a person's natural normalcy. Amidst the vast tapestry of

global development, each individual can have a limited, objective

impact. Despite the immensity of the world, individuals remain

unique. Before leaving existence, no one can make a permanent mark

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on the world. Navigating one's normality is a daunting task, often a

lifelong journey for many. This struggle is why countless individuals

find it challenging to forgive themselves, forever chained by past

"errors." Carlos' fear management technique, as outlined in the

article, includes a strategic redefinition of success and failure（34).

Essentially, this redefinition can be seen as an acceptance of

mediocrity. Embracing one's mediocrity is a continuous process that

reconciles goals with personal abilities. As the title of his article

suggests, Mr. Rose comfortably embraced his status as "ordinary." He

maintains a balanced state of mind by holding realistic expectations.

This attitude, characterized by a lack of grand ambitions, serves as a

valuable lesson for many. There is nothing wrong with recognizing

yourself as "ordinary"; rather, embracing this identity can allow

individuals to experience surprises in tackling challenges, letting go

of past mistakes. Through this lens, life becomes a journey of

optimistic prediction.

On the road to reconciliation with mistakes and failures, the crucial step is to begin a

fresh start, however challenging the task may seem. Although the concept of rebirth seems rather

straightforward, reality often proves otherwise. After a series of setbacks, many find themselves

lacking the courage and confidence to start over. Complicating matters further is the difficulty of

initiating this process each time a failure occurs, leading to repeated cycles of uncertainty and

ambiguity as to how to proceed forward. Moving into a new chapter requires a careful approach.

First, it is important to have a clear goal. As mentioned earlier, this goal should be realistic and
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achievable, avoiding the pitfalls of excessive ambition. With a well-defined goal in mind, the

next step is to strategize the path to embark on this journey. Seeking guidance from others can be

instructive. Mr. Ross' transformation saga illustrates this beautifully - he received invaluable

advice from his teacher, Mr. Macfarlane, who offered him a way to feel special by using his

mind(6). This advice marked Ross' initiation into a love of reading, which was pivotal in

propelling his future as an author. Essentially, rebirth is not simply diving into the unknown; it is

a thoughtful and informed process enriched by wisdom and guidance gleaned from those who

have followed similar paths.

Accepting our mistakes is not about escaping problems, but rather about accepting

ourselves better and embracing the future. As we journey through life, we will encounter many

different problems and limitations that can constrain our potential. Therefore, we should learn to

coexist with our mistakes and extract valuable lessons from them, leveraging this knowledge to

expand our horizons and push ourselves forward. Whether we are students, teachers, or simply

regular individuals, this approach can help us overcome obstacles and reach our goals with

greater ease and confidence. By keeping an open mind and a positive attitude towards our

mistakes, we can turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and self-improvement, empowering

ourselves to live a more fulfilling and rewarding life.

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Works Cited

Cox, Rebecca. “The Student Fear Factor.” The College Fear Factor. Harvard University Press,

2011. pp. 34-35.

Rose, Mike. “I Just Wanna Be Average.”

https://www.cengage.com/custom/static_content/OLC/s76656_76218lf/rose.pdf
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1. I like best about my essay topic

2. The biggest difference in my current writing is that the essay requires me to cite the

original text from other articles.

3. Citing references is a challenge for me as I have never written a paper that requires

citations, so it is unfamiliar to me. Additionally, I often do not know which information is

relevant to my paper.

4. a. My peers suggested that I reduce the use of uncommon words employed for the

purpose of avoiding repetition. Therefore, I devoted a considerable amount of time to

review and revise.

b. You suggested that I shouldn't use such lengthy quotations, so I spent a considerable

amount of time searching for shorter phrases that would meet the requirements for proper

citation.