Perfection isms 4

A pot depicting kintsugi, a Japanese art and philosophy that embraces imperfections.

Often it is said that perfection is not possible. Other times, that we are perfect, imperfections and all. In a spiritual sense, are we perfect beings or sinful beings? Also…have you noticed how perfection is subjective? What to make of all of this?

Well, like almost everything (I’ve learned), in my opinion, it is a both/and situation. Black and white thinking has not served me, and as we all have dark and light within us, I don’t believe it’s the answer. To save time and avoid deep diving into all the above ideas, ultimately, what I do believe is that we get to decide.

“What?! What a cop-out answer!” is what I wouldn’t blame you for thinking, as I’ve thought it before myself. But hear me out…

You can decide that what you’ve created isn’t perfect, and instead is the opposite and awful and should never see the light of day. Or, you could decide to appreciate and embrace the “imperfections” as beautiful parts of life, seeing it as perfectly imperfect (wabi-sabi-esque). Or several other options, no binary thinking necessary.

Here’s the thing – everything you think is perfect, someone else could argue is imperfect, and vice versa. “Complete, flawless, ideal, as good as possible…” I don’t know about you, but those definitions set off my instinct to go down a rabbit hole ⬇️

“What is complete? Who determines a flaw? Am I automatically imperfect because I desire to improve, or is that part of me being my perfectly created self?”

➡️…which then becomes a black hole sucking me in until I question all of reality and feel that nervous chill that pulls me out of it.

*ahem* Bringing it back around…I think the real issue is that we are concerned with what the majority thinks is perfect. My purpose in rambling on about all of this is just to make sure you know there are other options. And then, decide.

What I have decided for myself is that everything I do, say, make, etc. will always unfold perfectly as part of the perfect plan for my life. I believe both that there are imperfections, and that they are perfectly experienced. I don’t believe perfection or anything is impossible. And sometimes I think perfection just happens (à la, perfect timing).

But here’s another aspect – I now often question whether perfection (whoever’s definition) is a goal I want to strive towards. Besides showing up fully and helping others as I mentioned in my last post, I’d like to share a few additional things I choose to put effort towards in place of perfection in the next one.