Next time can we get it right?

August 3, 2026

second-chances

I’m gonna roll me away tonightGotta keep rollin’, gotta keep ridin’Keep searchin’ ’til I find what’s rightAnd as the sunset faded I spoke to the faintest first starlightAnd I said next timeNext timeWe’ll get it right
~Roll Me Away / Bob Seger

Books and songs are still being written about the romance of the road stretching out ahead and it’s true–there’s something intriguing about the road before us disappearing into a horizon of unknown potential.

Every mile carries the possibility that next time, we’ll do it differently.

We can, you know.

Next time, we can say the words we were too afraid to speak.

Next time, we can recognize what matters before it disappears.

How often do we get second chances? Not often. And when they come, we often don’t recognize them. That’s happened to me.

Most of the time though, I stumbled through life, doing the best I can and mucking things up periodically. We all do. It’s the nature of life.

But the bottom line is this:

The beauty of life is not in getting everything right. It’s in getting –and rcognizing– another opportunity to try.

Like a traveler rolling toward a distant sunset, we carry our mistakes with us. But we don’t have to carry them as burdens–we can carry them as maps, to show us where we’ve been and point toward where we might go.

And somewhere beyond the next bend lives that stubborn, beautiful belief that maybe this time we’ll choose better, love deeper, forgive sooner, and finally become the person we were meant to be.

The road keeps calling.The horizon keeps moving.

And as long as we’re still traveling, there is always the possibility that next time, we’ll get it right.

Just ask Bob Seger. (Here’s one of my favorites of his.)

22 comments on “Next time can we get it right?
  1. Laurie Stone says:

    Yes, it’s fascinating how this life keeps rolling along. I want to believe I’m older and wiser, but not always sure.

  2. Beth says:

    The old saying is so true. It’s not the destination; it’s the journey. That’s the best part because there are so many opportunities.

  3. Beth Havey says:

    With thinkers and people like you in the world who care….we will succeed. Beth

  4. Amber Myers says:

    I always say mistakes are learning tools. You can figure out what NOT to do the next time around. And you grow.

  5. jerry says:

    Your reflections on second chances really resonated with me. I appreciate how you explore both the hope of fresh beginnings and the wisdom that comes from life’s setbacks. It’s a thoughtful reminder that growth often begins with grace.

  6. LisaLisa says:

    What a beautiful and heartfelt post. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, but it’s amazing how second chances can open doors we never expected. I really enjoyed your reminder that hope and resilience can carry us through even the most difficult seasons.

  7. Stephanie says:

    I always say it’s important to keep going. If we all did everything right the first time, there would be no room for learning and growth.

  8. Alejandra says:

    These are wise words to keep in mind. Mistakes are with us, but don’t have to be heavy baggage, just part of our journey.

  9. Melanie E says:

    Viewing past mistakes as guiding maps rather than burdens, combined with the understanding that the horizon is constantly shifting offers hope for personal growth, better choices, and deeper love too. There is always another opportunity to get it right.

  10. Barbie R says:

    Yes. The road keeps calling, the horizon keeps moving, and I just hope it keeps leading me in the right direction… PLEASE

  11. Diana says:

    I love this, thanks for the reminders! And I love that you used this song. It will now always be a reminder …

  12. Elizabeth F says:

    I’m a believer in second chances and following our heart’s prompting on this journey we call life. Even with the proverbial mistakes or detours, we can keep on truckin’ knowing we gave it our best shot. Life is a gift.

  13. Clarice says:

    I completely agree. Life isn’t about getting everything right all the time. It’s about learning, growing, embracing second chances, and learning to appreciate the imperfections that make our journey uniquely ours.

  14. Richard Lowe says:

    I made a mistake once. At least that’s what my wife told me. But in all seriousness, making mistakes is part of life. They key is to learn from them.

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