Learn from Past Mistakes

Grow into Greater Wholeness

Makin mistakes is a vital part of life. You do not learn and grow from comfort. So-called errors offer you the opportunity to stop, think, feel and change your perspective. They are invaluable tools for change and the mechanisms through which growth is catalyzed.

You may only realize you have certain weaknesses-such as not thinking things through before acting, procrastinating or taking too long to make decisions-because a mistake brought it to your attention.

You are being asked to look at your past objectively-to extract the lesson, let go of what hasn’t worked and make new choices. Gently acknowledge failures and forgive yourself and those involved for what has occurred. The pain is behind you-growth is ahead.

Forgiveness does not condone hurtful, violent or abusive behavior. It simply frees you from the burden of suffering you re-experience every time you dwell on a past hurt. To forgive is to let go of the pain and any self-sabotaging patterns that you carry. Forgiveness rises above challenging circumstances and chooses loving kindness.

You might feel that you are dealing with the consequences of your mistakes or tragic circumstances as well as those of your ancestors. Some powerful questions to ask yourself may be:

-Why would my soul place me into this family or challenging circumstance?

-What do I need to learn?

-How can I turn this situation to my benefit?

Your painful experiences may have colored your view of life, influencing you to want to hurt others or help them. You may have resolved to treat each person, no matter how dark, lost or unpleasant they seem, with an open and benevolent heart. You may have, on occasion, found yourself lashing out at others in an attempt to make them hurt as you hurt. Can you entertain the possibility that your challenges were planned by you in the higher worlds to give you opportunities to grow into a thoughtful, compassionate, charitable, helpful human?

You now have the chance to let go of what is dragging you down and work on becoming a new you. This doesn’t mean that the shadow characteristic you have developed will disappear overnight, but as you learn from the past to build a better future, your old self will begin to melt to make way for the new.

Healing Practice

To integrate the guidance of this card, you may wish to perform one or both of the following healing practices.

Healing Exercise

Sit at a table, desk or flat surface with a pen and paper and make a list of your biggest mistakes. Next to each one, write down the thoughts, feelings and behaviors connected to these experiences. Ask yourself, “Do they serve me?”

Place your hands on your kidneys (just below the ribcage on either side of the spine) and ask, “How much of my internal energy am I losing by holding on to old grudges, feelings and ways of being?”

On a separate sheet of paper, brainstorm the lessons you still need to learn and the actions you need to take to grow in the future. Consider which of these resonate most with you at this time and work on integrating the lesson in the coming days and weeks.

Energy Healing

Put on some healing music. Breathe deeply and slowly. Feel your feelings. Ask what opportunity or lesson a recent failure, mistake or misstep is presenting. What new points of view and thoughts can you nurture until they become integral parts of your soul?

Rub your hands together and hold them slightly apart. Visualize a green orb of energy in each hand. Focus your intention on energizing these spheres with life-giving vitality. Then press your palms to your kidneys and send them this potent light with the intent to grow from your past and move into the future with hope and inspiration. Continue as long as feels good.