The Tracebacks
In programming, there is a term called “traceback;” it appears on the console whenever there is an error in the program. It serves as a means to find/debug/locate the error in the program. It gives a pathway to the cause of the error, and in most cases indicates the name of the error.
Tracebacks could also apply to life. We all have tracebacks (that resulted in negatives and positives); everything happening in and around us has tracebacks (i.e., starting points). We could always look back and find traces that show where our results (negative or positive) stem from. Though, there may be things that are not easy to trace or explain. Our tracebacks give us the opportunity to learn what we have done right, what we did not, and the lessons embedded in them which can empower us towards greater progress.
In a nutshell, our tracebacks and those of other people or things show us the starting point of a thing, its progression, and the lessons to be learnt (from either successes or failures).
Permit me to ask us to learn from our tracebacks regularly. Let us look at what bothers us so much and that which gives us joy; let us trace the causes of the things that come to mind, and reflect on their starting points and effects. And whilst we do that, let us note down the things we have done right, those we have done not so right, the good, the bad, the challenges, and the mistakes.
Let us also consider where we hope to get to; that is, the progress we envision to make; and from it, let us create plans (which may include habits we need to stop, learn, increment or decrement; issues we need to resolve; errors we can still correct, etc.) and follow them through towards success. After all the reflections and planning towards success, let us take daily actions with positive mindsets.
“Self-reflection entails asking yourself questions about your values, assessing your strengths and failures, thinking about your perceptions and interactions with others, and imagining where you want to take your life in the future.”— Robert L. Rosen
“It is great to be introspective. Self-analysis can be useful, but only if it results in action.” — Joe Sacco
