I've made a lot mistakes in life and business. So many mistakes. 

Off the top of my head... I could probably fill a book on how NOT to run a crowdfunding campaign. Or... why I think honesty and open communication is the only way. And this is a new one... why your safe spaces are not necessarily safe for you, or the people most important to you. I know a thing or two about these random things only because of hard hard lessons learned. And sometimes re-learned. 

But one thing I hope to think I got right more often than not was... I tried to never be an asshole. 

We only know what we know, which isn't much. And we rarely know anyone's whole story - including with some of our closest friends and family. So the fact a lot of us find ourselves rushing to judgement, when we know in our core we're just as messy, if not more so... isn't cool. Or kind. It just isn't

If this sounds personal... it's because it is. Just this morning I caught wind of someone I considered a friend saying some pretty hurtful things about me, despite the fact, she actually did know my story, and witnessed my bottom. And though I'd argue in this instance the judgement wasn't warranted because (I think) I was handling the situation in question with as much grace as could be expected, what truly matters is... I was never an asshole to her, so didn't deserve to be assholed (definitely a word).

So, maybe next time you find yourselves shitting on someone - either internally or publicly, take a quick step back, pause, and consider their road travelled. Have you any idea what led them to this place? You might be assessing an entire life based on as little information as a single split second interaction, or worse...  a second or third hand account.

This journal entry wasn't for anyone really. Sometimes you just need to pluck things outta your head and heart and stick them somewhere. But wouldn't be cool if a single asshole out there read this and changed course? Ya, that'd be pretty cool.