Encouragement

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Imperfection

I have found that Inner peace and perfectionism will always be at odds with each other. My need for everything to be just the way I would like it constantly disrupts my quest for inner tranquility. Whenever my pre determined demands to have something turn out a certain way collide with reality I find myself getting frustrated and impatient. My desire to live with a peaceful and gentle spirit is often overridden by my unrealistic demands that everything in life turn out the way I want it to.

It becomes quite exasperating when the world in which I live and the world in my imagination can’t seem to cooperate with each other.

I find myself getting off track every time I begin focusing on what is wrong with my self, someone else or something else and forget to be content with what I have and grateful for all the gifts God has given me. When I start demanding that everyone and every thing else get with my program I am destined to become frustrated and upset.

The reality is that no one gives a hoot about my program as they are all too busy trying to figure out why their own program isn’t working.

To focus on what is wrong instead of seeing all the positive and beautiful things in our lives only breeds discontentment and dissatisfaction. Other people tell me I did a great job but I only see my mistakes. Too often I forget to take the time to celebrate one of my accomplishments or give myself a pat on the back for a job well done. I find that when we try to live up to these self imposed standards which are inevitably just out of our reach, we tend to loose the contentment and peace we so desperately desire. This is no excuse for us not to try to do the best we can but I does mean that we should learn to appreciate how far we have come and enjoy the ride.

In life there will always be something that isn’t right. I need to loose a few more pounds, somebody just put a ding in my car door or hair that should be growing on my head is now coming out my ears. I have found that it is much wiser to replace the word perfection with perception. Instead of focusing on what is wrong with our lives we need to begin to focus on what is right. By accepting the fact that life isn’t perfect and neither are we, we free ourselves up from the unrealistic demands we have put on ourselves and others.

My advice is to quit waiting to be happy until everything is just the way you would like it to be. Don’t put off happiness and joy any longer. Make peace with your imperfections and you will find that the inner peace we all desire will gently surface and you will begin to sense a renewed appreciation for what you have accomplished and that life isn’t that bad after all.

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