Daymaker - a person who performs acts of kindness with the intention of making the world a better place.
~ David Wagner
, author of Life as a Daymaker; how to change the world by making someone's day ~

DayMaker - any thought, word, or deed that spreads happiness, compassion, or fruitful ideas.
~ Annis Cassells ~

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Two Sides of Perfection


Perfection has a double imperative. We can strive to reach a goal or to make improvements: a recipe that we’ve developed, our health, our job skills, “a more perfect Union”. Or, we can choose to reject perfection, to be open to producing our best without limiting our focus or creativity.
Olympic athletes, with their eyes on the gold medal, practice diligently, relentlessly, to do a flawless dive, gymnastics routine, ski run, or start out of the blocks. In their minds’ eyes, athletes visualize the perfect paradigm. With work and determination, the athletes’ skills become more polished, heading toward perfection; expert judges spot it immediately. 


I like to see perfection in all things related to my medical care and financial services. Show me a perfect blood draw stick when it’s time for my lipid panel. Let my bank statements and my personal financial records be accurate to the penny. 

Often, reality falls short of our ideals. Look at the folks who spend their lives looking for the perfect mate, only to find disappointment as no one measures up to their vision. 


I’ve spent 40 years searching for the perfect Philly cheese steak sandwich. The one that tastes exactly like I remember from hurried lunch hours in Ann Arbor when I was a young traveling teacher. None has yet lived up to those that I ate and juggled while driving to my afternoon school. It’s a small disappointment but one consolation is that missing that sandwich has, no doubt, kept my cholesterol within a normal range and saved my arteries from clogging.


A few weeks ago at an Art for Healing writing session, which my friend and fellow writer Anke facilitated, I heard her say, “Deny perfection.” She was inviting us into the realm of enso poetry and continued, “Remain open to the journey.” 
"The Journey" (Taken at Yosemite)
Anke began to explain this Japanese form, but I was stuck on “deny perfection.” One glance at the faces in our circle of writers and the sounds of us shifting in our seats confirmed that I wasn’t the only apprehensive one. But with Anke’s guidance, we embraced the process. In her wisdom, our leader knew that surrendering the idea of perfection would invite images, words, thoughts, and feelings. She knew that pictures and poems would come forward because we’d opened the space for them.
"Openings" (Taken at Bryce Canyon)


 I think responding to both sides of perfection yields a balanced approach to life. Standards and ideals compel us to stretch and achieve. And, we need the freedom, happiness, and openness that letting go of perfection brings.  That way, we each maintain a balance, creating a life that is perfect for us

~ xoA ~





12 comments:

  1. Love this! I hope you don't mind if I share

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'd be honored if you share. Thank you so much. xoA

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  2. The perfectionist side of me is "shifting in my chair"! But...as I get older, the easier it has become to let go of trying to be perfect and trying to do everything perfectly....just a little.

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    1. Every micro-step is important and helpful, Kate. Good for you. Thanks so much for writing. xoA

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  3. Very nice Annis, being open to the journey is what brings so many adventures!

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    1. You're right, David. Thank goodness we figure that out and become more open. Thank you for writing. xoA

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  4. The idea of denying perfection and being open to the journey appeals to me. I always think of the three stages of perfection[ism]: perfection, procrastination, paralysis. To deny perfection is let go of procrastination and paralysis, thereby making it possible to remain open to the journey. Thank you, dear Annis.

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  5. Ah, Dennis. I like those "3 Ps" and think you're exactly right. Thanks for commenting. xoA

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  6. Thank you for this. It's not something that can happen overnight but...hopefully one day.

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    1. Absolutely, my dear Yadira. Micro steps. Everything starts with those. Then before we know it, we've shifted and we're comfortable with the change. Thank you for writing. xoA

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  7. This is...well...perfect in the way you encourange balance in the pursuit of perfection. The reminder that there are times and places where perfect is important and our writing and other creative pursuits are not those places is spot on. Thank you for sharing this with me!

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    1. Thanks, Amy. It's a reminder to myself as well. xoA

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