Why do we keep making the same mistakes over and over.............

If asked if we consider ourselves to be rational and sensible beings,

most of us would probably answer: most of the time; yes.

Yet, somehow we keep on making the same mistakes

over and over again.

History in general as well as our personal histories can

attest to that it ''is human to err''.

Not only do we make mistakes, but we keep making

them even though we already know the outcomes

from previous experiences.

Although we are supposed to ''learn from our

mistakes'' so say those in the know,

why do we far too often find ourselves

failing to do so?

According to some research, mistakes that involves

 physical pain we tend to find easier not to repeat

than mistakes that are the result of thinking/behaviour

patterns previously established through life experiences.

Those in the know suggest that we tend to create

''set notions'', templates, that we use in order to simplify

 making decisions, forming opinions and judgements.

However, these templates are often founded on

selective and sparse data/information and tend

to be more ''handy'' than helpful.

Challenging these templates (confirmation bias)

involves a shift of mindset and this demands a

lot more effort than just ''going with the gut''.

Also, sometimes we hang on to a mindset that we

know is or will lead to being a mistake

 because we have invested a

lot of time and effort in making it.

However, if we keep making the same mistake over and over

the brain starts to assume(so says those in the know)

 that what we are doing is the correct way of performing

a task and thus creating a habitual ''mistake pathway''.

Eventually this can become a permanent template

that often makes it hard for us to be able to

consider any other possibilities.

My friend looked at the painting and then asked:

-Where on earth do you get your ideas from??!!

-Hm, I'm not sure. Perhaps my willingness to humiliate

myself by making lots of mistakes allows me the 

freedom of discovery?

-What do you mean?

-Not being scared of making mistakes I feel

uninhibited to explore possibilities.

This morning I stood in front of a big, blank canvas.

So I tried something new. I filled spray-bottles with paint

and then started to spray the canvas.

I put it out in the sun to dry and when it was dry,

I put it back on the easel.

As I was staring at the canvas, 

suddenly I ''saw'' Mickey.

So, I painted him.

(A few hours later an elderly woman suddenly appeared 

in my doorway and asked if she could come in. 

Apparently she had watched me through the

 screen-door painting Mickey. 

She took one look at it and asked if it was

for sale. Sure, I said. Long story short.....I gave her

the painting. And she...gave me a box of delicious

cookies the next day.)

Mistakes, I have now concluded, are not to be feared, but

by using an open mind can be the most formidable

of teachers.

A mistake by definition happens but once,

it isn't planned it's made by mere chance. 

Sometimes we make mistakes that can have bad

ramifications and cause others pain.

Sometimes others make mistakes that can have

bad ramifications and cause us pain.

Sometimes we make mistakes that we don't 

know how to correct.

Sometimes others make mistakes that

they don't know how to correct.

But.

Sometimes we make mistakes that

opens our eyes and expands our minds.

That soften our hearts and of kindness

us reminds.

''Mistakes are a fact of life.

It is the response to error that counts.''

(Nikki Giovanni)

about the images: top: background/screen, acrylic on canvas

Graphite drawing of Teddy's, layered in Elements

Mickey: Acrylic on large canvas