We Cannot Get It Always Right

But we should learn to get it right more often

an older woman looks at a younger version of herself in a reflective way, impressionist painting — by DALL·E

We got here following a certain path: it is likely the path was more tortuous than we first imagined. It is rare to find anyone who set on a course as a young adult that never diverged, and it is unfathomable to expect everything to go our way. As counterintuitive as it may sound, it also seems a bit boring. Successful plans are satisfying until they become the norm. If everything always works out, we likely aren’t venturing far enough. Most of us could beat a five-year-old at chess consistently and hopefully not find it too rewarding.

Generally, we must move cities or countries, change careers several times, make and break partnerships, and fall in and out of love before we can state to have found our path. Some never do, and some don’t even try classing the challenge before them as too daunting. In any case, even those who succeed are likely to encounter a curve ball around every corner that can shake the foundation of their newfound certainty. Indeed, it would be rare for the chosen path to be the final path.

I often reflect on the time it has taken me to make momentous decisions. Some of the most important steps I have taken in my life have been the result of years of wandering and failing. It is tempting to wish we had made the right calls earlier. Why didn’t…