When we falter, the “because” that we communicate can help others to understand what happened.

But it doesn’t turn back the clock and it doesn’t make things right.

When we say, “This happened because … “ what we’re really saying is, “There was a reason I made a mistake. A good reason. I’m asking for your understanding.”

Were you a victim of what you could not control? Maybe. After all, we’re all at the mercy of what we cannot control.

But instead of clinging to the “because” we might try saying, “I know why I screwed up. I understand how it happened and why. Here’s what I’m going to do next … ”