Three Magic Words

Three magicwords: I was wrong or I made a mistake.
These words tend to diffuse or neutralize a bad situation.

A brief story.
Some years ago I was brought before the CEO and Comptroller of a company to explain why I hadn’t achieved my sales projections. The Comptroller sat with his books, loaded for bear, ready to pounce. He really wanted a piece of me and I knew it. As he started to recite my projections and actual sales figures, I interjected: “I blew it.” He stopped. There was
silence. What could he say? The CEO just smiled and said. “Okay, let’s see where we go from here.”
I related this story to a friend some time ago and just two weeks ago that person wrote me an email and said how valuable that story had been. A situation was completely diffused instead of getting into an argument or some extended justification by admitting up front “I was wrong or I blew it.“

There are people who will never admit that they are wrong. They will justify any and everything they say or do even when they know they screwed up. I hate that. I don’t respect a person who can’t admit a mistake. Getting into arguments over something simple that could have easily been excused will fester and turn into something ugly.

Anyway, for whatever it is worth. I make mistakes. If there are any perfect people on this forum, I will await the crucification before I begin the worship.

Abe,

I have been noticing that some people from the present US administration have been admitting to mistakes. It is too bad they couldn't have done this sooner. Perhaps it is putting closure for this administration.

Good story. I don't think there are any perfect people here. I love that. We're all pretty human: make mistakes, do stupid things, even ask foolish questions and get answers along the way.

Carol

I niver maek a misteak.

Oh, that was wromg wasn't it?

I viver makes a singel misteak.

I alsways make more than one!

I made one once. Maybe 1973 or 74, can't remember exactly when, but I do seem to remember screwing up. That once, anyway.

Hmmmm. Could be that I've done it more than once, and just can't put my finger on it.

Every now and then when I am busy fussing to a friend about some recent foul-up from someone else, I add at the end (it never ceases to make me laugh at myself)...

"If only everyone was as perfect as us, the world would be such a good place."

What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how
infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and
admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals--

Love,
Betty

Abe,

You are so right. It really knocks the fight out of folks if you agree with them--they almost do not know what to say next.

Good story, Abe.

E. Don -- I am perfect -- perfectly imperfect. I find it is our human imperfections that make us all so different and so very interesting!

Shelagh--I'm with you. A single mistake would get very lonely!!

I was always taught there was no shame in making a mistake as long as I learned from it. I learned from them, but sometimes had to repeat them in order to get them right! Now, I just make fewer of them. But they are bigger than they used to be!

Years ago I saw a cartoon where the man responded to his wife saying, "Of course I'll admit I was wrong, if ever such an occasion should arise." It was and is funny but also portrays the attitude of many.

Abe F. March wrote:

Years ago I saw a cartoon where the man responded to his wife saying, "Of course I'll admit I was wrong, if ever such an occasion should arise." It was and is funny but also portrays the attitude of many.

The more perfect a person claims to be--the worse they are and of course more dificult to deal with.

I heard an outrageious speaker once say,"So you made a mistake, huh?
Did you think you were God? Get over it!"

It was great advice.

That's outrageious! You are miss taken, ma'am!

December 9, 2008-- 61 year old. lady finally made a miss take! It was long overdue.

People who act like they know it all are very annoying, especially to those of us who really do.

I make mistakes all the time, and I am glad I can come here to admit it...goodness knows not everyone is quite as forgiving as you lot.
I made a mistake on the weekend when I neglected to wash any dress pants for work. I had to wear cords on Monday (of course, I prefer cords, so maybe the word mistake is a bit of a stretch).

What is your occupation?

We will have to look into this "mistake"--it sounded more like a purposeful, premeditated action or lack of action to me.

Thank you for drawing it to our attention--a proper penalty will be provided.

I remember the old joke line that went, "I'm not conceited because conceit is a fault, and I'm perfect!"

Alice you've asked the question of the day...my occupation...well, as long as I don't have to just pick one...I write, design and teach courses for adults, used to get paid to play music and still plunk away wholeheartedly, and I provide people with sage advice about their lives and careers.

Thanks for working on a remedy, I mean penalty. I think it's due.

Pam,
your talents are coming to the fore. I almost typed "four" but that couldn't be right since they appear to be multiple.

Pam,

It's okay, no big deal if you like to wear cords--by all means wear them.

One piece of advice. Do not blame yourself for small occurrances. Save your soul searching for something more significant and sinister.

I had best clean up my act before I visit Nova Scotia. I will leave my cords at home--except I like them.

What a quandry. Miight you have a piece of free sage advice?

Free sage advice:


Sage is a natural source of estrogen and can be a big help in combating menopausal symptoms. Sage is an easy way to add natural estrogen-like chemicals to your system and provide some relief. Even burning a sage aromatherapy candle can help.
If you suffer from night sweats, increasing the amount of flax seed and soy in your diet, taking a soothing bath to which you have added essential oil of lavender, and exercising moderately a few hours before bedtime can also reduce your symptoms.

Use Sage Tea to Treat Night Sweats

If you are looking for some relief from hot flashes and night sweats, take a look at this article and try a soothing recipe for sage tea.

If you get some relief with sage aromatherapy or tea, common sage is easy to grow in a sunny, well drained location. It is also dries well, and produces a reliable crop of leaves for me every year.

http://theherbgardener.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html

Shelagh,

Thank you! How lovely--it is daytime there.

If you want to feel really good as well as perky--take Nerurontin.

It is a terrible drug. It makes you forget everything. One poor person was driving to work and forgot where she was going.

I did discover my bones are great though--fell hard three times and did not break anything.

After not being able to remember a thing and sleepwalking for four months, I tapered off and quit.

I am very alert now and would love some sleep. This morning I awoke at 1:00 am and my husband said, "You do not look cheerful."

I did not say," I am homicidal."

Great impulse control.

If a doctor offers you Neurontin, tell them to have it themselves.

Alice, You are lucky your bones are still good! Sleepwalking is not good!! 1 a.m. is too early to be up and at 'em, or not so "up and at 'em". I hate pills and usually forget to take them. Do you think Shelagh figures we are menopausal? Maybe I escaped someof that because I eat a lot of sage.

Shelagh, the native Americans here use sage to cleanse their spirits. They call it smudging. Using an abalone shell, they burn what they call silver sage or 'grandfather sage'. The smoke is directed onto their person in such a way as to 'wash' them. Here, they use it as a ritual and an eagle feather is used to derict the smoke.

They do this during and prior to any ceremonies, as well as anytime they are not feeling quite right, like after nightmares or arguments. It has a very calming effect. I do not think it is the same as regular sage. It has a white or silvery appearance before burning.

Pam,

I'm looking forward to hearing more of your sage advice.

Shelagh,

I liked your sage advice, too. I especially liked your picture of sage. It had a calming effect on me the minute I looked at it. Thanks for the tea recipe.

Alice,

I am so glad you are feeling better. It's been a long road.

Zada,

It's good to hear from you again. I have a friend who is Cherokee. She keeps a bit of fresh sage in her car.


I like cooking with herbs. Sage is one of my favorites. It's part on one of my basic recipes:


1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup dry white wine
(or White wine vinegar - but don't worry, the alcohol all cooks away.)
2 cloves of peeled garlic, slightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon of Morton's Natures Seasons (or salt and pepper)
1 sprig each of:

"Parsley, Saage.., Rosemary and Thyme..."


Abe,

My most recent mistake was taking so long to get here. It is so good to find old friends and meet new ones. It's been a long dry spell.

Ann