Thursday, April 18, 2013

P is for Perfect

Perfection. I think we all think about it. I think we all put undue pressure on ourselves to achieve it. In all honesty, I don't think perfection is possible. So why do I (and others) hold ourselves to such an unattainable ideal? Why do we feel it's okay for others to not be perfect, but bring out the torture devices when we fall short? 

I do think it's important to do your absolute best every single day. I don't think we give up and say "Oh well. I guess if I can't achieve perfection I'll stop trying." We can look at our days and think "What could I have done better? Because I wasn't perfect today, but I can sure as heck be better tomorrow." I think we can do this in little things and big things. I didn't get my underarm turns and butterflies perfect at my dance lesson, but I can practice and do better next time. I wasn't perfect in being judgement-free and kind to everyone yesterday, but I can definitely try and do better today. 

How freeing would it be for all of us to let go of trying to be "perfect"? How much less stress would we have in our lives if we forgave ourselves for those times we fall short of how we would like to be and concentrate instead on how we can make today better? 

We do the best we know how at the time with the tools we have. When we know better, we do better. 


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8 comments:

  1. LaeliApril 18, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    Perfectionism ruins ordinary life, I think. It prevents us from doing so many things.

    I like that you are a baker of cookies, cakes and all things yummy. Me too! And an eater hee hee

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  2. MaryApril 18, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    I so enjoy baking and cooking for others, Laeli. I think I enjoy that more than I like eating the goodies myself. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment! :)

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  3. UnknownApril 20, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    Isn't that the truth!? If I could just let go of that lofty goal I would probably do so much more! GREAT P post!
    Connie
    A to Z-ing to the end
    Peanut Butter and Whine

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    1. MaryApril 24, 2013 at 12:29 PM

      Connie, thanks so much for dropping by and taking the time to comment! I think it is about things being a daily practice. We keep working at it--the letting go of the perfectionism ideal.

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  4. T. Powell ColtrinApril 22, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    It's difficult and humbling to be so perfect. Just kidding.

    I think trying to reach perfectionism is harmful to our character and soul.

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    1. MaryApril 24, 2013 at 12:32 PM

      Teresa, your first sentence made me LOL and reminded me of my dad. There was a song back in 1980 by Mac Davis called "It's Hard to be Humble" that he used to love to go around singing.

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  5. Maurice MitchellApril 22, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure" perfectionism is destructive, but it never hurts to try to stretch our abilities.
    -Maurice Mitchell
    The Geek Twins

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    1. MaryApril 24, 2013 at 12:33 PM

      Maurice, you are absolutely right. I think we keep striving to be better today than we were yesterday, but must let go of the thought that we have to be perfect or if not, we've somehow failed.

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

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