When I started using pen in my primary school, and I made a mistake, I would try hard to erase it before submitting to my teacher.

Sometimes, I use chalk to clean my mistake but it later re-appeared.
So I began to use saliva, it worked, but only to leave holes in my books.
My teachers then used to beat me for being outrageously dirty. But all I tried to do was to cover my error.

One day, a kind hearted teacher who loved me so much called me aside and he said, " Anytime you make a mistake, just cross it and move on" .
He said further " Trying to erase your mistakes would only damage your book to nothing.
I told him in protest that I don't want people to see my mistake.
My loving teacher laughed and said " Trying to erase your mistake will make more people know about your mess and the stigma is for life".

Have you made some mistakes in life? Cross it over and move on.
Don't expose yourself as a result of trying to cover your mistakes.
Better things are ahead of you.
Strike your 2017 mistakes and move into 2018 with a fresh note.