I’m not perfect, I’m human
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” - Anna Quindlen
Perfection is an issue I struggle with constantly. Over the last few months perfection became a roadblock and I have done some digging to figure out the reason. I did find some answers and I’ll share them another time. I know I’m not alone in my perfectionist ways. So for all you perfectionists out there, this one is for you.
This story comes from a recent issue of Yoga Journal magazine. Originally written with children in mind, I see no reason not to share it with adults. Got little ones in your life? Share it with them, too!
The Cracked Pot
Everyday a farmer carried two pots to the river to fetch water. Each pot hung on the end of a pole across the farmer’s shoulders. The pot on his right side was new and perfect. The pot on his left side was older and had a crack in its side. The new pot brought back all the water the farmer put into it. But the cracked pot leaked out water in a little trail. This went on day after day for two years. The little cracked pot felt terrible. “I am so ashamed of my imperfection!”
One day, it spoke to the farmer. “I must apologize. I only deliver half my load because I leak out water all the way back to your house. You should just get rid of me.” The farmer said, “Do not despair. Look behind you. Do you not see those beautiful flowers along the path? Those are on the left side where I carry you. I knew about your special feature so I planted flower seeds, and you have watered those seeds as I walked home. Thanks to you, I have fresh flowers for my table. Thank you, little cracked pot. You are very special.”
In our own way we are all very special despite any cracks in our surface. Sometimes I swear, or mistakenly give my internal editor the day off. Sometimes I talk too loud, eat too much pizza or drink too much wine. Sometimes my mind will wander as you speak and I may not hear a damn thing you say. I’m not perfect, I’m human.
But I am always doing my best to enjoy life, be the best person I know how to be and provide as much love and compassion to others as I possibly can. I’m doing my best to find my way, sometimes alone, sometimes with others, on a road that ends in an undisclosed location, fear and excitement guiding my way. I will make mistakes.
While I don’t always do or say the right thing, those things I have said or done brought me to where I am now. And where I am now, quite frankly, is perfect.
I hear ya! I am so far from perfect , but I can continue to grow and strive to be better, learning each day! Thank you for sharing….very nice post!
This reminds me of a time recently when we were playing the board game “Cranium” with some friends. It’s a game that gets you to use all parts of your brain. Anyway, in it you’re really flying by the seat of your pants to get an answer to something by beating the timer. It’s lots of fun (sidenote). But, related to perfectionism — that just gets thrown out the window. Think — try to hum a song you haven’t heard in a long time. Anyway, maybe fun isn’t a sidenote. It’s fun, and it’s fun because we’re not perfect when we do it.
So sometimes, I think it’s good to just do. Too often in my daily life, I go over and over something - is it perfect?? When the truth is, it is only perfect in the eye of the beholder. What I think is perfect, you may not. And vice versa. Take your story above with the pots - a great example of that. And a great story and lesson. We all have “cracks” - but that doesn’t mean the “cracks” we have are bad. Like you said, we are all very special despite our “cracks”.
Lances last blog post..Fog: Does It Slow You Down?
Oh man, so true! You nailed it on this one..love the last part where you say “i don’t always do or say…” all of that is me to a ‘T’. Great post!
Stacey,
I have always loved that story!
It reminds me that the things we often think are our failures are the exact things that grow up to be our strengths.
Thanks for reminding me of that great story!
I can relate to this post. No matter how much I meditate, journal, hug trees, paint, and dance to my inner song…I will always be human. And this means I will at times be grouchy, I will scream, and eat too much chocolate. Thanks for the reminding me that these are my human traits…and while I focus on being the best person I can be, I’ll also stop every once and awhile and let myself just be human.
Stacey / CreateaBalances last blog post..Backwards Sassy Friday
I love the story. Thanks. I’m not perfect. I’m just a human. Every imperfection is to allow us to learn and become wiser in life! Every imperfection is a lesson and has a reason! It’s so inspiring and motivating.
Rosabels last blog post..Part 2 - Signs of a sexually abused child
I do struggle with needing to be perfect, though I often forget that, too. Still, I tend to be quite unforgiving of myself. This post was a great reminder that I am still forming, still growing, and as long as I’m going in the right direction, I’m doing okay.
stephs last blog post..Thoughts on a Friday Afternoon
I mean this in all seriousness….Ive embraced the CRACKEDPOTNESS of myself.
hence my new tagline (today).
Miz.
MizFits last blog post..Monday Facetime: Abundance. Too much of a good thing?
Great post! I enjoyed the story of the cracked pot. It is impossible to always be perfect. Perfectionism can actually be self-destructive. You can end up feeling depressed and pessimistic because you recognize that it is impossible to be perfect all the time.
I agree! Be human. It is okay to make some mistakes. That is life.
Talli van Sunder, DPTs last blog post..Know Your Vitamin D
Stacey,
I finally made my way over here and WOW! this was a great post. That story was really good, you know.
I think of the story, too, from another angle. We are each like the cracked pot, if you think about it - we are “not perfect”.
But then again, we are perfect - just the way we are. Just the way we were made. We were made to do something special, and because each of us is just a little different, that special something is something *no one* else can do.
Thanks for the words - Brett
PS - I guess it sounds like I just called everyone a crackpot
Brett Legrees last blog post..eyes.
What a cute story, even our imperfections can serve a valuable purpose. Perfection is just an illusion, reality is much more interesting!
Marelisas last blog post..30 Things to Do in the 100 Days Left in 2008
@Mark_Salinas - Learning each day…that’s the key I think!
@Lance - Cranium is a great game. I get caught up in “perfect” when I’m afraid. When I’m having fun, it does go right out the window. “perfect” is an excuse!
@Linda_M Thanks - reading blogs helps me realize we are so similar and different at the same time.
@Wendi - True - it becomes a matter of shifting the way we think about things.
@Stacey - Grouchy - I should have put that in my post
Right, we’re all human just trying to find our way - pizza, chocolate and all!
@Rosabel - Thank you for stopping by - I truly believe there is a lesson to be learned in everything.
@Steph - Constant journey - you are definitely doing more than ok…I’ve read your blog!
@MizFit - I like the new tagline…
@Talli van Sunder - I once heard the saying “Strive for excellence not perfection.” That saying rings true for me, and causes less grief.
@Brett Thank you for stopping by! We are all just as we’re supposed to be…that’s how I feel, mistakes and all. I think you did
@Marelisa - I agree - reality is more interesting - it allows us to be ourselves and that’s what meeting new people (online or in person) is all about.