Definition of a Mistake (10/21/2008)

There are many terms in the English language that can stir up conversation and cause controversy. Most of the time when people focus on abstract terms, they think of love, and passion, but rarely anything that everyone, regardless of age, race, and experiences, can relate to; words such as family, friend, and even mistake. Mistakes are common occurrences regardless of how perfect someone strives to be. Mistakes come in many different forms, but are often put into a negative connotation. That in itself is a mistake. We shouldn’t be so easy to take something and make it negative, but instead, we should look for the more positive aspects of something so common as a mistake. Generally, a mistake is a chance at an opportunity. Whether this opportunity is a learning experience for you or another, or even an opportunity to teach, mistakes are an unavoidable and necessary aspect of life.

A mistake is often viewed as an error or fault resulting from defective judgment, often associated with a lack of knowledge, carelessness, or neglect. This is how most people are taught to see mistakes, and in turn, often try to go about life more carefully, unwilling to take risk, try new things, and create new learning opportunities in fears that they will be seen as neglectful, or irresponsible. While this view about mistakes is not necessarily incorrect, it isn’t completely developed, and is generalized based upon the opinions of people that aren’t in any real position to define condemn another for a mistake because they, themselves, are not perfect.

More realistically, a mistake is a chance to learn. As opposed to a fault, it is an opportunity that may open your eyes to things that you may have never thought about before. There are two ways to learn from a mistake. One can often make a mistake, and realize that they may not want to do something again. Another way to learn from a mistake is trying again, and simply finding a more efficient way of doing something. When making mistakes, people often feel that they should give up. But if there is room for a positive outcome, through positive and legal process, there is not legit reason to give up. A mistake is just a way to make you think more logically and become better prepared for a second attempt towards a new accomplishment. An example of this particular learning opportunity is writing a research paper. You may attempt the paper one time, and receive an unsatisfactory grade. But, in receiving the paper back, you find comments, notes and markings on how to improve the grade of your paper. This gives you an opportunity to physically view how you can improve and refrain from making the same mistakes on the next paper that you may have to write. This is probably the most common positive outlook of a mistake – a personal learning experience.

During the instances in which people give up, it is an opportunity for someone else, given further research and determination to create a newer and better idea. Mistakes are not only personal learning experiences, but makes room for exposure to new subjects. For example, Anaximander, a Greek philosopher, was the man that rationalized the belief that the earth was flat. He believed the earth to be a short cylinder with a flat, circular top which remained stable because it is the same distance from all things (McKirahan 34). While his idea was logical for the time period, this was a mistake. If it hadn’t been for his mistake in logic, Aristotle, also a Greek philosopher would not have been able to follow up with his observations that proved the earth to be round (McKirahan 36). If Anaximander hadn’t made his mistake, it may have been many years later that another philosopher would even propose an idea about the shape of our earth. Thanks to another man’s mistakes, Aristotle was able to further observe and study in order to create what is now considered common knowledge. This, just as a personal learning experience is another way to define a mistake -- an improvement, or step towards the betterment of the world, society, or others.

People often feel that mistakes should be forgotten. In reality, a mistake should be shared so that no one will repeat it. A mistake can be viewed as a precaution for anyone with common interest, hobbies, or activities. A mistake performed by one person, can be warning to anyone else that may want to, or is performing the same task. Though it is not a frequent thought, this is very familiar amongst a group of people with shared interest. This is often the case when it comes to the health and well being of human beings. Many people and groups speak out against certain topics such as drugs, drunk driving, and the damages of gang violence. A specific example of this is Gruen Von Behrens, a former baseball player that once used smokeless, or “spit” tobacco. He now has oral cancer, with only a 25% of survival (Alters 212). Unable to play sports any longer, Behrens is now a spokesperson for Oral Health America’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program, warning his audience of the dangers of smokeless tobacco (Alters 212). His mistake is now a warning to all people that use chewing tobacco, allowing their eyes to be open to the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

Not only is a mistake an opportunity to teach, but it is an opportunity to simply create new experiences. Although these experiences may not necessarily be good, life experience is necessary for success and development. Without experience, you would never truly understand simple things such as right from wrong, left from right, and hot from cold. Its only thing to be taught or spoken to about a certain topic, but it’s another to burn your hand on a hot stove on a fire, or feel freezing snow on your face. Mistakes aren’t simply wrong doings, but are life experiences that are absolutely necessary for the successful transition into adulthood. In addition, mistakes allow room for responsibility. A mistake is a chance to improve in an area in which you are not so strong. A mistake is that opportunity to do something one time in order to make a life decision. While most believe that you should try to avoid mistakes, mistakes are necessary to learn. A mistake is an open door of opportunity and experience, and only becomes negative if you make it so.

Mistakes shouldn’t be attached to such negativity. Although there are some negative aspects to mistakes, it is obvious that mistakes are absolutely necessary in order to be successful. If we didn’t have mistakes, we would never truly be sure of what is not a mistake. People should come to realize that a mistake is not only doing something wrong, but is an opportunity to learn from yourself and others, and even an opportunity to teach those that may not know the possible damages or dangers that are involved with certain activities and subjects. People should begin to refrain from such harsh condemnations for committing mistakes. Mistakes are a common entity, performed by everyone, so no one person should be able to make another feel like less of a person for making a mistake. Mistakes are a part of life, and regardless of how we view it, mistakes are essential to everyone. Without a mistake, or misunderstanding, there is a large possibility that we wouldn’t be living in the society we’re living in. We would not have the “Post It” note, fireworks, microwave ovens or cork flakes (Jones 13). Mistakes shouldn’t be seen as faults or failures, but instead success and accomplishments. Mistakes are performed everyday by some of the world most important and intelligent people, and there is proof throughout history. Great philosophers, doctors, and even teachers often make mistakes in doctrine, surgeries and other task. Mistakes happen to everyone, but what is really accepted as the true definition of a mistake? Is it simply a fault? Or is it more? Is a mistake something that someone she be scalded for? Is a mistake something to be immediately forgiven? A mistake is all of these things depending on the circumstance. Life is short. We should take advantage of every aspect of it, including the mistakes we may make every day.