Changes

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

===='''''[[Error]]''''', '''''[[Self Esteem]]'''''====

===='''''[[Error]]''''', '''''[[Self Esteem]]'''''====

The [[reality]] of imperfection is a fundamental [[fact]] of this [[universe]] [[experience]]. Our whole career consists in the [[process]] of perfection [[attainment]]. We are destined to be perfected; we do not begin in that condition. Because of the [[culture]] in which you have been raised, (You were taught that there was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Man once a perfect beginning and a fall from that perfection] which then cursed all [[humankind]] with [[guilt]] and [[sin]] of another's doing.) the whole topic of making [[mistakes]] and being imperfect is weighed down with an inappropriate sense of [[guilt]] and [[shame]]. Guilt and shame are two of the most destructive [[emotions]] that have been foisted upon Urantians by this [[tragic]], erroneous misconception of [[original sin]]. Therefor, when the topic of mistakes is discussed the straight forward [[rationality]] of it is so loaded with irrational [[feelings]] of guilt and shame that there is great [[difficulty]] in [[separating]] the difference between [[error]], (making mistakes), and [[sin]], (choosing deliberately to do the wrong or [[erroneous]] thing). Consequently, when people make mistakes they feel [[guilty]] for it arouses this [[confusion]] in their minds. Your [[self esteem]] is thereby damaged greatly for it is thrown back into that [[primitive]] shame and guilt of beingness, of the very [[existence]] of being born in sin as a member of the human race.[[UB|Our textbook]] is very clear on this matter, and it is of great importance that this be understood. There is no innate sin upon each newborn child of [[Urantia]]. Children are [[born]] under the [[smile]] of God and with approval of [[the universe]]. They are God's children! You are God's children likewise, not born [[perfect]], for this is not a perfect universe, but born with great [[potential]], the potential to develop to the point where the mortal individual [[becomes]] the host for the [[Ta|divine spirit]] of The [[First Source and Center]], and a potential being of [[Finaliter]] status. When it is understood that it is impossible in [[the universe]] of [[progressive]] [[evolution]] and [[transformative]] [[creation]] to ever achieve, either in a mythical [[past]] or in the current status, the state of [[perfection]]; when it is understood that this is not a possibility, and when it is further understood that there is no state of perfection that human kind has fallen from, then can your [[self esteem]] assume realistic [[proportions]].

The [[reality]] of imperfection is a fundamental [[fact]] of this [[universe]] [[experience]]. Our whole career consists in the [[process]] of perfection [[attainment]]. We are destined to be perfected; we do not begin in that condition. Because of the [[culture]] in which you have been raised, (You were taught that there was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_Man once a perfect beginning and a fall from that perfection] which then cursed all [[humankind]] with [[guilt]] and [[sin]] of another's doing.) the whole topic of making [[mistakes]] and being imperfect is weighed down with an inappropriate sense of [[guilt]] and [[shame]]. Guilt and shame are two of the most destructive [[emotions]] that have been foisted upon Urantians by this [[tragic]], erroneous misconception of [[original sin]]. Therefor, when the topic of mistakes is discussed the straight forward [[rationality]] of it is so loaded with irrational [[feelings]] of guilt and shame that there is great [[difficulty]] in [[separating]] the difference between [[error]], (making mistakes), and [[sin]], (choosing deliberately to do the wrong or [[erroneous]] thing). Consequently, when people make mistakes they feel [[guilty]] for it arouses this [[confusion]] in their minds. Your [[self esteem]] is thereby damaged greatly for it is thrown back into that [[primitive]] shame and guilt of beingness, of the very [[existence]] of being born in sin as a member of the human race.[[UB|Our textbook]] is very clear on this matter, and it is of great importance that this be understood. There is no innate sin upon each newborn child of [[Urantia]]. Children are [[born]] under the [[smile]] of God and with approval of [[the universe]]. They are God's children! You are God's children likewise, not born [[perfect]], for this is not a perfect universe, but born with great [[potential]], the potential to develop to the point where the mortal individual [[becomes]] the host for the [[Ta|divine spirit]] of The [[First Source and Center]], and a potential being of [[Finaliter]] status. When it is understood that it is impossible in [[the universe]] of [[progressive]] [[evolution]] and [[transformative]] [[creation]] to ever achieve, either in a mythical [[past]] or in the current status, the state of [[perfection]]; when it is understood that this is not a possibility, and when it is further understood that there is no state of perfection that human kind has fallen from, then can your [[self esteem]] assume realistic [[proportions]].

Why should there be any [[grief]] over making mistakes, given these [[facts]], my friends? You see, the grief is due to these [[false]] [[beliefs]] that I have been speaking about. Mistakes are merely the [[inevitable]] results of incomplete knowledge, imperfect [[judgement]] and the need for [[experimentation]]. The [[purpose]] of mistakes is uniformly and completely one thing only, to serve as a [[platform]] for further [[growth]] and [[progress]]. Mistakes are not [[failures]]. They are not shameful. They are simply [[inevitable]], and they are to be viewed entirely as [[learning]] experiences.

Why should there be any [[grief]] over making mistakes, given these [[facts]], my friends? You see, the grief is due to these [[false]] [[beliefs]] that I have been speaking about. Mistakes are merely the [[inevitable]] results of incomplete knowledge, imperfect [[judgement]] and the need for [[experimentation]]. The [[purpose]] of mistakes is uniformly and completely one thing only, to serve as a [[platform]] for further [[growth]] and [[progress]]. Mistakes are not [[failures]]. They are not shameful. They are simply [[inevitable]], and they are to be viewed entirely as [[learning]] experiences.

Now, granted, people, and all of you at times, fail to learn from [[mistakes]]. It was also true with me when I was a [[mortal]]. However, our world did not harbor the massive [[delusion]] that [[this planet]] is still filled with of a [[mythical]] [[past]] time of [[perfection]] origin. Part of the reason that people do not learn from mistakes is because of the great [[shame]] in admitting them. Because it is not understood that mistakes are [[inevitable]], [[normal]] and [[positive]], or at least neutral in their impact, people deny that they have been erroneous in their [[thinking]], [[feeling]], or [[behavior]], and therefor [[persist]] in making the same error repeatedly. You have a saying, "It is [[insanity]] to do the same thing and expect a different result," [http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_first_said_that_the_definition_of_insanity_is_to_do_the_same_thing_over_and_over_and_expect_different_results] and this is [[accurate]].

Now, granted, people, and all of you at times, fail to learn from [[mistakes]]. It was also true with me when I was a [[mortal]]. However, our world did not harbor the massive [[delusion]] that [[this planet]] is still filled with of a [[mythical]] [[past]] time of [[perfection]] origin. Part of the reason that people do not learn from mistakes is because of the great [[shame]] in admitting them. Because it is not understood that mistakes are [[inevitable]], [[normal]] and [[positive]], or at least neutral in their impact, people deny that they have been erroneous in their [[thinking]], [[feeling]], or [[behavior]], and therefor [[persist]] in making the same error repeatedly. You have a saying, "It is [[insanity]] to do the same thing and expect a different result," [https://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_first_said_that_the_definition_of_insanity_is_to_do_the_same_thing_over_and_over_and_expect_different_results] and this is [[accurate]].

So, my friends, the [[value]] of mistakes is in their [[interpretation]]. If they are interpreted as shameful [[failure]] then, indeed, does this [[woeful]] [[pattern]] [[persist]]. But when it is understood that this is the very nature of [[evolving]] [[reality]], to build upon a mistake, learning the [[error]], and therefor avoiding it in the future, then mistakes can become your best friends.

So, my friends, the [[value]] of mistakes is in their [[interpretation]]. If they are interpreted as shameful [[failure]] then, indeed, does this [[woeful]] [[pattern]] [[persist]]. But when it is understood that this is the very nature of [[evolving]] [[reality]], to build upon a mistake, learning the [[error]], and therefor avoiding it in the future, then mistakes can become your best friends.