One of my life hacks is to take the unfamiliar way to see what I can see. I recently got “lost” on a three-mile loop around the perimeter of Memorial Park because I veered onto an unknown path that was an interior loop. Lots more steps, no gain in my quest to circumnavigate the park. I wanted to reward my extra effort with a drive-through cuppa but the detour set me late on a stacked domino day. I was aggravated at the time wasted. Until I walked by a majestic horse head carved out of a dead stump and witnessed a man collecting moss, berries and twigs. I gave thanks for these two instances of surprise beauty, one complete and one just begun. Unexpected gifts from my wrong turn, all because I stepped off the familiar path.
In Art and in Life mistakes happen. Count them as failures only if you stop and don’t go on. U-turns, especially creative ones, add to your path. Mistakes are only mis-takes. They all have value, adding to your life experiences and informing your world view in a new way. They help make you the amazing being you are. Celebrate that. Read more in Wednesday’s Substack post here.
Patty Mayeux Blog 
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