“There is a crack in everything God has made.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Perfection. It’s definition is one that we are all too familiar with: the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects. It is something that not matter how hard we try it is unattainable. It doesn’t mean we still don’t try to be but for whatever reason we put so much unnecessary pressure on ourselves or on others. Pressure to be the right weight, get straight A’s or be the most popular person. In today’s quote American essayist, philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson puts things into perspective as it relates to perfection without even mentioning the word: “There is a crack in everything God has made.”
Let’s face it. We are imperfect. We all have flaws. And you know what? That is perfectly ok. Look at everything around you. Tell me one thing or one person that is perfect. One that has never made a mistake, an error in judgement or was built without any flaws. I’m sure if you look hard enough you will come up with nothing. That in itself should alleviate some of the unnecessary pressure on yourself. Perfectionism is a behavior, not a label. It can be changed. You need to acknowledge this behavior in order to face it head on and change it. Take a moment to realize what emotions or feelings contribute to this behavior of perfectionism. Decide what the worst case scenario is with not being perfect? Think about about really matters and adjust your expectations accordingly. Once you redefine your why work on your self talk because if you do not do this you can never truly move forward in self correcting your behavior.
Remember perfectionism is, like a tall tale, a myth. It doesn’t actually exist. It is make believe. There are cracks in life’s armor. These cracks show the struggles and battles we have fought in life towards becoming who we were meant to be. They define our character and to me those particular flaws are in itself perfect.
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards becoming more socially aware?
Becoming The Change 