a work in progress

So much this. This makes me think: 

I haven’t had a perfect person give me advice or show me the ropes or comfort me when I was going through it.

I’ve never stopped a friend from helping me out because they’ve made way too many mistakes. In life.

I’ve never served anyone at a soup kitchen who wouldn’t take the plate from me because I didn’t have all my ducks in a row.

Everyone I know is going through something hard. Everyone I know has made big mistakes in life. I can learn a lesson from everyone I know. 

After a show the other night, me and two friends, one newly engaged, one divorced, were sitting down to drinks and talking about marriage.

The newly engaged friend asked us what our marriage advice was. 

Ten years in, what’s my modern marriage advice? “Never argue via text. You can’t hear their tone. They can’t hear yours. Sooooo much can go wrong. Don’t do it. You’re welcome.”

My other input wasn’t so much advice as an insight, “You marry your homework.” Your partner definitely brings up your “stuff.” Continue to work on yourself.

But that texting advice is gold though, folks.

My divorced friend demurred a little bit and said she couldn’t possibly give advice on marriage since hers ended. I replied she absolutely could give advice on the subject. Who better to keep you out of a well than someone who’s been down one herself? 

You don’t have to be perfect to help someone. And since perfect doesn’t exist we can let ourselves off the hook. 

When I’ve been kicking myself over a big mistake, the people who’ve helped the most had a war story (or ten) to share with me. And guess what? It made me feel better. 

Embracing your own imperfections can lead to empathy for others. The world needs more empathy.

I’ve said many times that I haven’t interviewed any perfect people for my podcast. Everyone is flawed. Everyone has a story we can all learn from. I’m learning from all of them.

Listen to the latest and leave a comment at www.theworkingsingerpodcast.com 

Leave a comment