The Beautiful Humanity of Making Mistakes: Why Kindness Matters Most

We all make mistakes. Small ones, big ones, the “I can laugh about it now” ones, and the ones that leave your heart pounding for hours afterward.

But last Monday, I had a moment that reminded me of what making mistakes really means—and what we often forget about being human.

A Split-Second Decision That Changed Everything

I was driving to my original destination when, in an instant, I changed my mind.

Instead of turning left like I had planned, I decided to make a quick pit stop somewhere else.

The road looked completely empty.I checked, it seemed clear, and I changed lanes quickly.

A second later—the impact. A sound and a feeling you never forget.

My car and the car I accidentally cut off were totaled instantly.

Everything about the moment was disorienting, fast, loud, and surreal.

The other driver was confused and visibly shaken. Her airbags had deployed, and I struggled to get her door open to help her.

Within moments, people were pulling over. Calling 911. Helping us. There is something so deeply human about the way strangers show up in moments like this.

Being Seen Through Human Eyes

First came the firefighters, then the police officers.Every single first responder showed up present, grounded, and attentive.

Because the other driver didn’t seem to fully understand what had happened—and we had multiple eyewitnesses—I told the officers exactly what I’m telling you here:

“I made a quick decision.I switched lanes fast.I never saw that car.”

Two of the witnesses immediately confirmed the story and, with surprising intensity, pointed a finger at me—literally, while stating "you were at fault".

Even though it felt unnecessary (and honestly a little harsh), I was grateful they were there. They saw what I didn’t.

I was expecting the police officers or firefighters to have a disciplinary tone—to correct me, scold me, tell me what I should have done differently.

Instead, each one of them responded the same way:

“These things happen. All that matters is that you're okay.”

There was no judgment. No shaming.Just the recognition that I was a human being who made a mistake.

And I could feel it in their eyes—warmth, care, grounding.They made me feel human at a moment when it would have been easy to feel ashamed.

Not Everyone Responds With Kindness—And That’s Okay Too

There were also the witnesses.The “finger pointers.”The ones who wanted to be clear about blame.

And truthfully?We’ve all been those people too.

Heck, I was like them in that particular moment and the ones to follow, just blaming myself!

We’ve all had moments where we pointed the finger, even if silently, because seeing someone else mess up brings up our own fear:“What if that could be me?”

And we’ve also been like the first responders—Calm. Compassionate. Grounded in the truth that mistakes are part of life.

Both reactions are human.

The Real Lesson: Mistakes Don’t Define Us—How We Treat Each Other Does

Walking away from this experience, my biggest lesson wasn’t about driving or decision-making. It was about kindness.

Being a kind human is a gift—to yourself and to everyone around you.

Mistakes are inevitable.They happen fast, without intention, without malice.But kindness is a choice.

A choice that softens fear.

A choice that calms shame.A choice that reminds us we’re all on the same unpredictable, imperfect journey.

That accident showed me that even in the moments when we are “at fault,” we can still walk away feeling connected, seen, and supported—if kindness is present.

If You’re Reading This After Making a Mistake…

Take this with you today:

• You’re human.

• Mistakes happen.

• You are not defined by the worst 10 seconds of your day.

• You get to choose kindness for yourself, even if others don’t.

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And when someone else makes a mistake? Offer kindness first.

It may be the exact thing they need to breathe again.

Final Thought: Never Stop Being Kind

Life will give us countless opportunities to point fingers, to judge, to criticize.

But it will also give us endless opportunities to care.

Last Monday, reminded me that the world feels safer, warmer, and more hopeful when we choose the second option.

Never stop being kind. It is such a beautiful gift.