I’ve Had it With Perfection

​Perfection is something that I used to struggle with. Finally I realized there is no such thing as perfection. Therefore it’s silly to aspire to something that doesn’t exist.
 
Once I gave up my pursuit, life got a whole lot easier. I found myself enjoying almost everything I did. I was happier. My stress level went down. I discovered I was good enough. What a relief that was!

---

​Is it ‘A’ work or ‘C’ work?
During a discussion at an Executive Women’s Change Leadership Roundtable, one of the women in the group shared a helpful communication tip that she and her boss use to help root out perfectionism. When she gets a new project they determine if it needs ‘A’ level work or if ‘C’ level work is good enough. I think that is brilliant. It saves a lot of time and energy.

---

This poem by Father Kilian McDonnell, a monk at St. John’s Abby says it all. I found it in Krista Tippet’s book called Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living. 



Krista Trippet

I hope you find Father McDonell’s  poem as reassuring as I do.
 
Perfection, Perfection
I have had it with perfection,
I have packed my bags,
I am out of here.
Gone.
 
As certain as rain
will make you wet,
perfection will do you
in.
 
It droppeth not as dew
upon the summer grass
to give liberty and green
joy.
 
Perfection straineth out
the quality of mercy,
withers rapture at its
birth.
 
Before the battle is half begun,
cold probity thinks
it can’t be won, concedes the
war.
 
I’ve handed in my notice,
I’ve given back my keys,
signed my severance check, I
quit.
 
Hints I could have taken:
Even the perfect chiseled form of
Michelangelo’s radiant David
squints.
 
the Venus de Milo
has no arms,
the Liberty Bell is
cracked.

---

Imperfection

Exempt from perfect.
Life is a vulnerable
Adventure. Immerse.

Photo: Prince William Sound, Alaska, 1988.
© Barbara Jo Shipka 2018. All rights reserved.
www.kaleidoscopelenses.com

​Let me know your thoughts.

Read June Newsletter