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To Err is Human ... and Holy

11/11/2014

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By Carol Quest

In September, I enrolled in an online course, offered by Spirituality and Practice, called The Holy Fool: Finding Spiritual Liberation in Foolishness and Humor, led by Thomas Moore.

Most of the time, my brain was stretched to the snapping point trying to understand what was being presented. Even though I spent plenty of time scratching my head and asking myself "What is he talking about?" — I somehow ended up changed. What shifted for me was that I accepted in a very profound way that making mistakes is actually part of being human — and it is a good part. Somehow working through that course altered my sense of self so that I don't cringe every time I mess up.  Instead I find myself able to be more lighthearted about a mistake, saying to myself with amusement, "What do you expect, you're human?" I have been practicing for two months now, and every time I manage to respond that way, I experience a true lightness of heart and a sense of new-found freedom. Of course, I don't always manage to react with such equanimity. Sometimes I get caught in excusing or explaining or maybe even blaming. But oh, the times I step into the Holy Fool's shoes, and quickly acknowledge my mistake, and then let it go and move on … those times are sweet, indeed. Thank you, Thomas Moore!

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