No Need to be Perfect

Happy Friday, everyone!

I wanted to write about something that has plagued me my whole life: the fight with perfection. Ever since I can remember, I have been the girl who has constantly beat herself up for not being absolutely "perfect." It still to this day is a battle I face.

The idea of perfection is completely subjective. No one has been perfect except, I think, a gymnast before my time. Other than that, it is merely an idea that we have created in our heads. I don't know if we have created this idea to enhance competition, as a way to make money, or as a way to gauge ourselves. What I do know is that striving to be absolutely perfect and the ramifications of not reaching the goal are more harmful than helpful.

After losing my 4.0 and thus falling from the "perfect" plateau, my very best friend told me that my "B+" added character. I didn't understand what it meant at the time, but that has stuck with me ever since. I have thought about it many times. Our little flaws make us who we are; they make us stronger. However, we often look at our flaws as a downfall or impediment. That's completely untrue. If everyone walked around without any adversity or trials, no one would have that inner strength that pulls us through times where we think all hope is lost. That, to me, is worth each fall from grace I have taken. I know that I can pick myself up from anything. If I was perfect, I would not have a clue.

Not only that, the fact that we aren't perfect keeps us working towards bigger and better things. Whether it be yourself or human kind in general, we all need to strive for betterment. I can always be a better teacher, advisor, or coach. There will never be a perfect lesson, practice, or yearbook. As much as that irritates me, it also makes me excited to see what I can achieve if I keep working harder. That's how we should all think. Instead of beating ourselves up for not being perfect, we should take it as a chance to improve on what we have done. Never settle, but don't berate yourself for not reaching perfection.

At the end of the day, if you know that you did your very best with what you were given, you should be proud. Perfection is a made up idea. No one can be perfect. No one. Be happy with who you are and the bumps in the road you've faced. After all, it adds character. :)

Go do good things,

BT