How do you handle the unthinkable?

Background: I was reading a book called the unthinkable. Good book though I am not yet finished. It is about fear v knowledge, irrational beliefs v experience, how humans are likely to respond from trauma from observation of past crises, as well as some accounts of what people have taken away from and gained from going through trials.

This subject matter was vaguely touched on in a different question. Instead of responding with a book loads and a lifetime of experiences. I wanted to ask the larger group. Not just to prove a point but because I find it interesting.

Question: Do you fear making mistakes or tragedy. Do you have irrational fears, how do you handle them and move on with your life? Have you gained or lost much from them? Would you prevent them from happening to you if you could? Answer in any way you feel like answering whether or not I have asked the question directly. Stories are welcome but not necessary..

My answer: I would be so ignorant if I never made a mistake, or suffered from a problem. I feel my life has been enriched by them. A sort of bitter sweet medley that has forged me and made me strong. I see them as opportunities. Not that I endeavor to make them, but it is easy enough to do. All I hope for is that I make new mistakes instead of old ones. In fact there are many choices I made that I don’t know if they were mistakes or not.