Recently I have been thinking about ways to bring more joy into my life. My children flew the coop years ago. One came back to perch for a few months during COVID and then moved on to create a new chapter in his life. I have really started thinking about what brings me happiness besides the amazing gift of getting to be a mother. Here is what I came up with: I am giving myself the okay to fail.

Now obviously I do not want to be a failure in this life I was given. What I mean is that I need to be willing to try new things. I might be horrible at something. I might find that I am amazing at something else. It is okay to try and fail. It is not okay not to try unless it is something like bungee jumping. I have no interest in doing that.

I decided to start this blog. Will anyone read it? I don’t know, but writing brings me joy. If it brings me happiness then even if no one else reads it I have succeeded. When I am happier those around me can sense it. Positive vibes are always a good thing.

I learned how to cook out of necessity. I failed so many times when I first started. By the time I had children I became pretty good at it. I was able to raise two children and cook for them while they were growing up. Those meals made them happy, me happy, and we spent many happy times in the kitchen. They would come in and talk to me while I was cooking, always trying to sit on my counter or drink out of the milk carton to get a reaction from me. Had I not been willing to fail at cooking, I would have never been able to experience those times with my kids when they were growing up.

I am fortunate to have very talented family members and friends. Sometimes I see the amazing things they have accomplished and I am in awe of their talent. I have a friend that designs beautiful fabrics and now has used the designs to create notecards and journals. I have a family member that has started a podcast sharing her knowledge of nature. I have a friend that paints and creates beautiful pieces of art. Another takes breathtaking photographs everyday when she goes for a walk. All of these amazing women are giving themselves the opportunity to create a new course for their life. In return we all benefit from their talents.

So today I give myself permission to fail. Through trial and error I hope to find new ways to bring joy into my life.