We might look back at our pasts, wondering how we could have done such stupid things, made such big mistakes and faux pas.

Of course, when we did those things, we didn't necessarily have the wisdom or composure that we do now.

In fact, a whole life is a process of calibration. We might go a little too far, or not far enough. Every step of the way, we learn a little more about what counts as a perfect balance for us.