Best Mistake Ever

by Alexis McKenzey | September 5, 2018

If mistakes were a soundtrack, the A-side would be a reminder of how they can be unexpected, harsh, scary, unpredictable, and reckless. The B-side would let the listener know mistakes have a bad rep. Mistakes happen, but there are opportunities and countless chances to get it right. . .eventually.

Mistakes are expected. There are movies, competitions, poetry, and books—all dedicated to when you screw up. Chef Gordon Ramsey’s career is based on being the restaurant industry’s savior. He comes in with his Sir Lancelot knight and shining armor tendencies and rescues restaurants from total ruin. He screams, yells, curses, but there is a new menu, and none of the patrons leave the revamped restaurant with food poisoning.

The Dr. Seuss book, “Oh The Places You Will Go,” should be entitled “Hey Kid! You are going to mess up. ALOT!” Or “Life-The Best Mistake Ever!” The book clearly illustrates that the winding road turns into a quagmire of peaks, twist, dark corners, confusions, mis-steps and more loops. But how is life or any rollercoaster interesting when it is one straight line?

Mistakes are brutal and tough. Mistakes will happen repeatedly. In other words, to eff up is normal, but to get it right the first time is divine.

Come here Alexis and other poets and storytellers talk about the Best Mistake Ever at Wordplay Cafe on September 13th, 6PM at The Nile Shop in downtown Mesa.