Making Mistakes vs Life Happens

This morning we set off early in order to reach our next destination about twenty five miles west of Vernet les Bains where we spent the last two idealic days and nights.

We stopped at the Intermarche super market in town in order to have our breakfast and stock up a bit.  This chain of supermarkets is ubiquitous here in France and they offer many services we find handy.  We also needed to discuss how we would deal with this ongoing battery terminal issue.  As we pulled into the parking area, I noticed that there was a place to dump our grey water which was also part of a do-it-yourself car wash–the kind with the wand that swings around as you move about the vehicle to wash it.

Paul checked the grey water spigot and found that it was still open, so we made our way forward and then heard a very unfortunate CLANG/CLUNK as something hit the motorhome.  It turned out to be this wand and it was broken and needed to be replaced.  I won’t bore you with the details or what we had to pay.  That is pretty much immaterial.  What IS important is how unavoidable situations like this can best be dealt with.

Paul was angry with himself for “making such a stupid mistake” (his words) and didn’t want to discuss it.  This could have turned into a bit of a nasty confrontation, but after saying my bit I let it go and was silent.

I am sure all of you out there have run into similar situations, and if not, then just wait, you will–I promise!

So here is my way of dealing with these unavoidable instances that might prove somewhat helpful.  I told Paul this was just something that happened–a life event–and there was no way either one of us had any idea that we could have foreseen what would happen.  I asked him to forgive himself and let it go.  I didn’t want the event to spoil our day.  I certainly didn’t blame him for what happened—nothing good ever comes from blaming!  Forgiveness is so important in our dealings with ourselves and those around us.  Since we can’t always avoid mistakes and life events, we don’t have to let them control our feelings or our lives at that moment.

Forgiveness is just letting go.  Not always easy if you aren’t used to doing it, but becomes much easier with time and practice like everything else.

The upside to this story??  Another opportunity to have something interesting to write about!