There are 525,600 minutes in each year. That's over 500,000 opportunities to royally screw up. That's over 500,000 chances to make a mistake. That's over 500,000 times to say something stupid. That's over 500,000 times to do something irrational. That's over 500,000 times to make a complete and total fool of yourself; but, that's also over 500,000 moments that you can choose to learn from.
Behind every mistake is a chance for growth and knowledge. The true geniuses of this age are those who decide to learn from their mistakes and move on into a brighter future. What's the use in harping on something that can't be changed? It's senseless tomfoolery. There is but one case in which focusing on the past can be beneficial, and that is when learning from it. The tricky aspect of this art is that once the lesson is learned, the situation has to be let go. We have to make a conscious effort to throw our mistakes into the sea of forgetfulness and refuse to go back and visit them. No one is perfect. Perfection is impossible for humanity to ever again glimpse within one of its own. Accept that fact. Don't expect others to meet your every fancy and expectation. Understand that you are certain to make mistakes, and give others the same grace when they do likewise. It happens. It always has. It always will. You are held responsible not for what happens to you, but for what you choose to do with it. While circumstance is often times beyond your control, your reaction to such is not. In all things, persevere. Do your best, even when it isn't the best. Don't settle for mediocrity in your efforts. Make the most of each moment you are given. Learn from the past, and then move on. Understand that no one is without fault, including yourself. Don't become a victim to circumstance, but react with strength and vigor. In all things, strive not for perfection, which is unattainable, but for excellence.