Mistakes are not to be ashamed of. Mistakes are to be expected, proud of even, as no one can learn without mistakes. What matters is how one corrects them.

This sentiment was expressed to me as a young age, and my father said the same words over and over: no one is without mistake. When I began to learn how to correct my mistakes I slowly begun to become a better person and a better leader. After all, I could admit when I was wrong and give credit where credit was due at the time.

As a kid, the words did not mean much. I took it as a simple mantra, something everyone had heard throughout their lives. However, as I began to grow and mature with my classmates I quickly realized that that was not the case. I grew self conscious of my mistakes, and it wasn’t until my first year of high school marching band that I began to change that mindset. “Recovery is a box on the sheet.” I was told by my instructors. Once again, that common saying came back to me. However, this time it made a lot more sense to me than it had before.

I reflected on my past, where I had insisted that I was right in order to feel better about my mistakes. I realized that everyone around me was doing the exact same thing as well. This time, I took the advice to heart. I made mistakes with pride, I corrected them, and I was proud of what I did.

Those around me occasionally would laugh and sometimes, the voices were louder than my own. Drowning out the thoughts that I attempted to keep positive.

Through the painful words, perhaps the most prominent of these voices was my band director. “If you’re going to miss, miss with glory.” And so I did, I did exactly that and began to admit when I was wrong, and when others were right. I missed with glory, and soon so did they.

By using this knowledge, I've had the ability to help others overcome doubt. Self doubt is a social issue that plagues many of the younger generation, especially with social media. By not only accepting but appreciating mistakes, one can soar far above what they believe. Through my academics, I hope to use this idea to motivate myself to give everything a try. Even if that something is not perfect, trying it will prove more successful than stepping away from the matter.

I have taken the knowledge that I had gained from these experiences and learned to apply them outside of one activity. My expressions went from my family in the band, to the first graders I helped every day. Some of the band took my advice, and I saw some members grow and speak about their recovery, some of the first graders took my advice and as I continue to work with them, I see them grow in their confidence and skill.

With a soft voice, I can repeat those words that had helped me through so much. “It’s okay to make mistakes, but we’ll fix it together.”