Teachable moments, little or big ones, happen every day, whether we learn from them or not. These discerning moments help us to grow, heal, and build bridges. Accidents, misunderstandings, and disagreements will happen, but will we learn from them all?

Of course, some lessons are quicker to learn than others. Take accidents, for instance.

Don’t you hate it when you stub your toe?

The other day I stubbed my big toe on the foot of a lazy ottoman that wouldn’t move.

Ouch!

What else could I say? I could’ve said more, but I gulped the air, determined not to give the pain too much attention.

I’m tough!

But whom could I blame? It was my carelessness and fault. So, I raised the toe, pressed my heel against the floor, and went about my doings.

Evidently, once wasn’t enough. I stubbed the same toe again a few hours later on a chair!

Dagnabbit!

What was going on? It seemed as if my left foot was a glutton for punishment. No, I was the glutton—moving too quickly, making me careless.

Some people believe that everything that happens to us, positive or negative—stubbing one’s toe—is a teachable moment.

Sure, we’re supposed to learn from our experiences as we maneuver through life. We remember, define, and use negative and positive experiences to change and refine or continue our approach and actions. In doing so, we increase the opportunities and possibilities for more pleasant and successful exchanges and interactions.

I didn’t mean to make contact with that ottoman. Of course, moving around in the house barefoot didn’t help.

There’s a saying, ‘Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.’ You can also fool yourself. With no one to blame, I decided to be more careful. The other option was to put on some shoes.

There will always be obstacles and objects to challenge our progress, attitude, and feelings about situations. Maybe we should look at obstacles as opportunities for experience. Of course, people don’t usually plan and create bad experiences for themselves. I know I don’t.

But overcoming obstacles can build resilience, determination, and character to better handle future unforeseen adversities.

Overcoming challenges create celebratory victories.

Who doesn’t want to be victorious and feel good about our interactions?

But what about the stuff we have no control over? We don’t view our positive interactions with people as victories. But it’s a victorious relationship when harmony is maintained between two people.

Unlike the ottoman and chair, people aren’t things to avoid contact with.

Maybe instead of stubbing your toe, there’s friction between you and a loved one. Interactions with spouses, friends, family, and peers can be harmonious if we avoid adversarial pitfalls: stubbornness, big-headedness, and other relationship vices.

Hurt feelings are worse than stubbed toes

What lessons can one learn to fulfill our personal destiny and those with family and friends?

Personal growth, intellectually and spiritually, is one benefit of lessons learned. We learn to apologize and to accept apologies. We learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness.

I didn’t wait to attend to my battered toe. And there’s no time like the present to mend your or a loved one’s hurt feelings.

Keep your relationships ouchless.

Oh! Did I mention; it’s the Christian thing to do.

And now is the time.

Side note but relevant: I no longer run upstairs.

Be safe.