Why is it that people think that we can learn vicariously through their mistakes. People are wrong. I know that they mean well, but human beings were designed to learn from their own mistakes and sometimes not even then. People may experience similar experiences, but no two experiences are the same. Maybe they are different because of the circumstances they developed under, but even if the experience is exactly the same then no two people are the same. Which makes the experience itself unique, because different people feel different ways. So you have to let people make their own mistakes.

Sometimes you know that you are making a mistake. People tell you that you are making a mistake. The thing is if you don’t think it’s wrong and you don’t feel it’s wrong, then why would you stop? Perhaps, you know that what you are doing is wrong, but you don’t want to stop, because it feels so right. Humans are most of the time being led by their feelings. And maybe just maybe, your experience is the one experience that in the end will turn right. No one knows what can happen in the future.

Now, let’s look at the other face of the coin. If you were indeed wrong, what is the worst that can happen. You made mistake, probably got hurt. And now what? You learn. From your own mistake, your own experience... you learn. If there is one thing I believe in is: Having no regrets. Regrets are worthless. You can’t go back. What’s done is done. The only thing you can do is learn to not repeat it. I once heard that what defines a human being is not how he behaves in his moments of glory, but how he reacts when he falls.

So what is the conclusion? If you know someone who is currently making a mistake, you can of course point it out. Afterwards, leave it alone. People have to learn by themselves. No one can teach them, except themselves. You have to let things take it’s course. And when your friend is down, because he fell in the mistake hole, help him get out of there. Now it’s your time to give a helping hand. Don’t even dare to say “I told you so”, if you want to keep this friend.

If you yourself are making a mistake and people are telling you that it’s wrong. Unless you feel like stopping, don’t. Do what you want to do. Follow your feelings. Every minute that is given to you is a gift. Enjoy. Life is meant to be lived, not to learn though people, but to take risks, jump, fall. Do anything you feel like doing. Learn the lessons life wants to teach you. That is what builds your character, that is how you learn how to deal with life.

You have to understand something. Human beings are pretty stubborn. When we set our mind up to something, we never let go until the end. Give us space, let us live and learn. In the end, isn’t that what life is all about?