What happens when we strive for perfection? We wind up exhausted, frustrated, and fully stressed-out! Perfection is not attainable. Please re-read the last sentence: Perfection is not attainable!
No matter how hard we try, we will never be perfect — none of us will ever reach that goal. We never-the-less keep trying. Why? Why isn’t our best, good enough? Look at this beautiful rose. Does it make it any less valuable because the petals are not all perfect?
It is so freeing to accept ourselves for who and what we are. We can still grow and develop, but the intense pressure is off. What would life be like if that negative inner voice, the one that keeps telling us that we aren’t good enough, was quiet?
There’s a wonderful quote by Anna Quindlen:
The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect, and beginning the work of becoming yourself.
Give yourselves a break. Accept your mistakes when they’re honestly made. Realize that they’re just opportunities to learn and to grow. Don’t chase after a mirage called perfection. It doesn’t exist, and you will just be worn down struggling to reach it. You are enough — just the way you are right now. You already have everything within you that you need to live life to its fullest. Be satisfied with becoming yourself, instead of trying desperately to grasp a false image.
Until next time,
Linda
You’re correct. One could really become depressed trying to reach perfection. There is only one person besides God I know who has done it and that’s my mom. Well at least she likes to think so and I’m not going to argue with her. LOL
Brian, your comment would warm any mother’s heart! I’m going to have to talk with my 3 sons, and see if they share the same belief about their mom! Probably not! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Linda