These messages are tricks that people have played on us. No matter how hard we try, we think we have to do better. Perfection always eludes us and keeps us unhappy with the good we've done.
Messages of perfectionism are tricks because we can never achieve their goal. We cannot feel good about ourselves or what we have done while these messages are driving us. We will never be good enough until we change the messages and tell ourselves we are good enough now.
We can start approving of and accepting ourselves. Who we are is good enough. Our best yesterday was good enough; our best today is plenty good too.
We can be who we are, and do it the way we do it - today. That is the essence of avoiding perfection.
God, help me let go of the messages that drive me into the crazies. I will give myself permission to be who I am and let that be good enough.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Great post Carol. I always shoot for perfection in everything I do/create. It makes life and "work" a great joy and an extension of my personal being. As stated, I have learned to accept less than perfect results. I won't say "good enough" because, for me, that carries the connotation of something done "half-fast" (you know what I mean.) But looking at the end result of what I was striving for I can most often say "How in heck did it come out so good when I myself have so many human imperfections?". It's an attitude about making/doing things in life that has kept me from going crazy (THAT"S arguable) for a good number of years now. Love in recovery...Tim
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"We posess the eyes through which the universe gazes with wonder upon its own majesty."