Progress, Not Perfection

I’m moving toward better.

“I’m not perfect, but I’m getting better.”

I posted a blog a few weeks ago with these words as the title.

I’ve got more to say on this subject.

You see, for me it’s all about making progress, not reaching perfection. After living a bunch of years I finally realize that I’ll never be perfect. I’ll never achieve perfection. I’ll never consistently do everything exactly right and according to every person’s standards that I meet in my day-to-day living.

Perfection!         

 What a heavy, ponderous burden to carry around anyway.

Nobody is perfect. And if you think you are, I’d like for some of your perfection to rub off on me. Just a little.

I don’t think I could stand myself if I were too perfect. I might want to brag about it, and then I wouldn’t be perfect, cause I’d have a touch of pride, and everybody knows pride is wrong, so I’m back to not being perfect again.

What a crazy merry-go-round this gets to be. Chasing our tails just to be perfect.

Let me put you out of your misery. Just aim to be better. Make progress.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m reading and following Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Julia gave me the idea for this blog, which is a footnote to my blog posted on March 10, 2011.

Julia says this in her book: “Mistakes are necessary. Stumbles are normal.” She then adds, "Progress, not perfection, is what we should be asking of ourselves.”

Wow! Somebody actually dares to tell us we are gonna foul up occasionally and that is OK! I like this lady.

I’m not looking for excuses to screw up. I’m looking for a salve to ease the pain when I sometimes do stumble, mumble and fall.

Can I hear an “Amen”?

I can do better in just about every area of my life.

I can be a better …
-Husband
-Writer
-Speaker
-Neighbor
-Step-parent
-Grandparent
-Communicator
-Dresser
-Christian
-Man
-Citizen
-Brother
-Drummer
-Bongoist (I recently bought a set of bongos)

I can do a ton of things better.

Am I ever perfect?

Some days I look pretty darn good (when Carolyn picks out my shirt and tie)
Some days I drive perfectly (under the speed limit without talking on my cell phone)
Some days I write amazing stuff (you should see my computer files and be amazed for yourself)

But other days -- Oh my.

I am a train wreck looking for a place to happen. (Wow, that is actually pretty good writing right there)

So, enough said on this subject. I think you got the point long before now.

I’m a work in progress. Care to join me?

Let’s do “better” together.