BS: There are no mistakes

Subject: There are no mistakes
From: Petr
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:14 PM

In keeping with some of the recent philosophical threads about honesty etc., I just want to say that Ive never made a mistake in my life and neither has anyone else for that matter.

What exactly is a mistake? Its a bad decision. But we make decisions all the time and often dont know how things turn out until after the fact. We make judgement calls based on what we know at the time and if things turn out bad then its a mistake otherwise its a good decision. But we cannot know the future we only know the present. So mu chofo urlife revol vesarou ndthis looking back on the past (which cannot be changed) and dreaming (as opposed to planning and actively pursuing) the future. Cause and effect. It such a release to realize this.

Course I could be wrong. Petr

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Ebbie
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:25 PM

The same cannot be said for your machine. :)

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Paul G.
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:28 PM

Someone very wise once said: "In nature there are no rewards or punishments, only consequences". I like that, and it seems to fit here...

pg

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Ebbie
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:33 PM

But I do know what you mean. What was liberating for me was when I realized that the things that did and did not happen in my life resulted because of choices that I myself made. Whether or not other people and events brought me to each choice, still it was I who made the choice, good or bad. And I made the best choice I could see to make. So there is no one to "blame". One can even say that if your husband dies at an early age or runs off with the local circus lad, in one sense you did cause it, YOU are the one who made the choice to bring him into your life. I love the thought of reincarnation! Thanks for the brain food.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:36 PM

What about choices you made that you knew were wrong when you made them? And still did the "wrong" thing? Aren't those mistakes?

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:38 PM

"My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened." - Montaigne

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Ebbie
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:42 PM

I don't think so, Sorcha. I think that comes under the same heading. It may not have not been the best someone else could have done at that moment and perhaps not the best I could have done a day or a year later but the spirit/mind set that produced the choice I DID make was evidently the best I could do at that MOMENT. What are others' thoughts on this? Petr?

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Sorcha
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:48 PM

No, I don't think so. Not sure. I have made some choices that I knew were wrong in many senses of the word, and still chose to do them.......I think those are mistakes. Perhaps not even honest ones...........

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 31 Mar 00 - 11:54 PM

You're going to have to give examples, Sorcha, if you want to win the argument.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:25 AM

In some ways it's like writing a song. I may write a song and release it, fairly content with it. A day later, 6 months later, whenever, I may suddenly realize an analogy that would have been perfect in that song, making it a much better song- and I had missed it entirely. Now at this point I have the choice of sitting down and writing another song incorporating the new view, encouraging someone else to write a new song or forgetting the whole thing. Letting it be the best I could do at that time.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:28 AM

I see that, but after the personal messages this week, I am no longer sure I want to continue to be quite so open and "honest" here........which is a real pity, isn't it? I have been lambasted for nearly everything--evil, stupid, ignorant, un-helpful, non musical, outright lying,multiple personalities, too many posts (NEARLY 1,000 since Jan.!????), so, I just concede the argument instead of telling quite all my secrets.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST, Another conscience....
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:33 AM

Thank you for that.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:36 AM

I think it's a pity but I only read Mudcat intermittently. Do you agree with the accusations?

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:42 AM

But if you withdraw or edit you're letting others govern your own spirit. Surely it is more important to look within and SEE what's there than it is to examine what comes from the outside? I dunno- but I decided some time ago that only I can judge me. That means, of course, that I have to let others judge themselves too. And in the recent events around here, that's not been too easy lately! Hey, where'd Petr go?

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST, The Thread Watcher
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:43 AM

969 in all

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 12:44 AM

One for every year that Methuselah lived!

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:03 AM

Evil, stupid, ignorant, un-helpful, non musical, outright lying, multiple personalities - sounds interesting. Which of your 969 messages should I read first? If you don't want to reply on-line, you can write to me at:

[e-mail]

And whoever's annoying you can also send me nasty notes.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Stewie
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:04 AM

Flattop, I was led to believe the gist of your earlier quote from Montaigne was a Chinese proverb: 'I'm an old man with many troubles, most of which never happened'. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I heard it or read it - but it has stuck in my memory over the years.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:04 AM

Hi A girl! And no you haven't won! I am still the un-reconstructed bitch you have come to love to hate. You been to bbc's pics pages yet? Of course, kat and I could have digitally altered our photos. Did you send a nasty private to Amos? He had over 2,000 since Jan. And what about 'spaw, and alison? They need these messages too. Anybody over 100? Yeee ha girl, you done embarassing yourself yet? Do you ever have a problem keeping your personalities/posts straight? Am I wasting bandwidth? Yep, but I sent $30 cash, and made a $200 quilt. What have you done? or TTCM for that matter? And will send another $5 because this is worth it, babe!

Do you answer any Help requests? Do any searches? Check my posts, a lot of them have been answers to questions. I did not see you in the "Mode" threads, is it because you don't know ANY theory?
You have a NICE day, and thank you for using AT&T! Get more flies with honey......

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: The Beanster
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:05 AM

Sorcha,

Don't let the ravings of certain others influence your behavior. After all, what does it matter if one is lambasted in cyberspace, really? Means nothing in the scheme of things. And keep in mind, whenever someone takes a potshot at you or criticizes in a nasty way, it says nothing about you and everything about them. There are bitter, angry people out there. Let them wallow in their own misery and don't take it to heart.

Viva La Mudcat!

The B.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:06 AM

The quote is attributed to Montaigne in Dale Carnegie's book 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.'

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:15 AM

Speaking of beans, did you hear that an American took out a patent on a low gas bean that the Mexicans have been growing for years. Now he's trying to collect royalties on beans crossing the border from Mexico. Talk about crimes against humanity. (Heard it on CBC Radio.)

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:18 AM

You got it Beanster, and that's where I'm at! But, I still don't have to tell my very own deep, dark secrets,do I? Nope!!

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:21 AM

Stewie, the only one that I can think of that is supposed to be Chineese is, 'When all else fails, change the diet.'

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: The Beanster
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 01:40 AM

Nope, is right, Sorcha--indeed, you don't!

And flattop, isn't that what Bean-o is for??! lol

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Stewie
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 02:00 AM

Thanks Flattop, I'll probably try it.

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 02:07 AM

Thanks, beanster, and yep we use Beano here too! ( And I won't tell all!--Aren't u glad, "Who ever you are?"-----heee heee heee! Owe Max 10 bucks now!

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: BlueJay
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 02:17 AM

Sorcha- (Kind of relating back to the thread), You made a choice to be open, and it looks like it bit you. Maybe it was a mistake, I don't know, that is your call. I've personally enjoyed the postings I've seen, (probably a small percentage). I think life is a long series of mistakes and corrections. Kind of like steering a car: oversteering and then correcting until you get it fairly smooth usually. Even the human body exists in a constant state of flux, correcting to maintain "homeostasis". I think being open is good, but some of the things I've read on various threads DO make me wonder about security. But try not to over-correct.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Sorcha
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 02:26 AM

BJ--you're right, I did, and thanks for the input. It's OK to over steer, as long as you don't end up upside down in the borrow pit, which it seems I did. Yes, it bit me, I have always had trouble being able to tell where the snakes are. (But have never had a major wreck yet!!)

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: BlueJay
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 03:16 AM

Sorcha- I try not to worry about the snakes. I've left myself open at times, and only got bit once. Didn't hurt at all. After all, I can change channels any time I want! I don't HAVE to check the Mudcat Cafe three times a day, it's simple curiosity. I even sleep, at times. It's only 1:00 am here, the night's young. Anyway, it's snowing. Please excuse me, but I need to check the Pete Seeger thread. There's a guy there who's been playing Pete Seeger stuff since I was a baby! BlueJay

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: kendall
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 06:36 AM

For years I've been buying "no gas" beans. The company is, State of Maine, and the variety is, Jacobs Cattle.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Micca
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 07:18 AM

4 (appropriate to this thread) quotes to live by
1 Know thyself( the Delphi oracle)
2 But above all else to thine own self be true(Hamlet)
3 Timeo danaos et dona ferentes( I mistrust these Greeks even if they bear gifts)(Homer The Iliad)
4 Put not your faith in Princes ( the Bible)
They counsel self knowledge, conscience and caution in equal parts.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 08:41 AM

Is Beano a medicinal product? I don't think we have it up here in Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Micca
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 09:32 AM

My mistake, 2 mis-quotes in one post,the correct is,
Equo ne credite, Teucri. Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.

Do not trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts. Virgil, Aeneid bk. 2, l. 48 O put not your trust in princes, nor in any child of man: for there is no help in them. Psalm 146, v. 2 Book of common prayer

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: The Beanster
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 10:33 AM

Flattop, it's some kind of an over-the-counter concoction which neutralizes the...unpleasantness...associated with the comsumption of beans, to put it delicately, but I wouldn't call it medicinal. I've even seen it advertised on TV recently. Have no idea what's in it... It is the Anti-Bean.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 10:56 AM

"Beans, beans, the musical fruit.
The more you eat 'em, the more you toot."

...old folk saying

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Caitrin
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 11:16 AM

Micca, I'm willing to bet I took Latin much more recently than you did, but you sure remember more than I do! : )

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Micca
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 11:58 AM

Actually Caitrin its a crib from the "Oxford book of quotations" but has always been a favourite along with the one from "the Book of Common Prayer", especially when dealing with the Hierarchy of the university I worked for!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 05:23 PM

And this from the man who chose All Fools day to embark upon that excellent mystery!

Now who can tell me what THAT is a quote from!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Mbo
Date: 01 Apr 00 - 07:34 PM

Duke Ellington once said "Mistakes don't count in the final outcome, the feeling you put into it does." My old guitar teacher told me that one. Very wise man.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Petr
Date: 02 Apr 00 - 11:45 PM

Sorry Ive been away a couple of days and havent taken part in the discussion although Ebbie understands my point very well and can probably explain better. It has to do with ones mindset and the key word is the MOMENT. To think of life as a series of mistakes and corrections is to label our actions after the fact. How do we know that a particular choice will turn out to be good or bad at the time. Re Sorchas point on knowingly making the wrong choice, lets look at some hypothetical situations. Is a teenager shoplifting for the thrill committing a mistake? He is making a choice based on the particular mindset at the time (the thrill outweighs the consequences of getting caught or perhaps any feelings of guilt). I of course wouldnt advocate criminal activity only to say that it is enough to live by the Utilitarian Golden Rule (do unto others..) rather than Moralistic Principles of Right and Wrong. But having said that, Sorcha you probably had your reasons for making your choice, the point is, it is pointless to label past actions as good or bad because wherever you are you there by choice. Petr.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Callie
Date: 03 Apr 00 - 12:17 AM

I once heard someone say "it's easy to get it right, but only YOU can stuff it up in the most original and far-reaching way". I heard this about a week before I managed to flood a friend's house during a house-sitting stint.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Apr 00 - 12:25 AM

I heard the founder of Esalen on NPR today. He said we are prepared for the expected results; but never ready for the unexpected ones. His point of reference was science and the euphroria surrounding new discoveries, ie. nuclear power when it first became and no one had thought of the unexpected effects, i.e. halflife of 24,000 years, plant accidents like Chernoybl, etc. And, as he pointed out, here we are mucking about with genetic engineering having no idea what the unexpected results might be.

Subject: RE: BS: There are no mistakes
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Apr 00 - 12:43 AM

Callie- thanks for the memory: I remember when I was young and on my first job, my boss said Ebbie never makes the same mistake twice- but she makes them all.