The Problem With Perfection

In this reading this morning, let me tell you about another reading that I’m reading every morning. No, it is not about clarity in sentence structure. It’s about people who are picky and demanding, always expecting perfection. The ones who are not satisfied after the steak has gone back to the kitchen four times. They somehow believe that being very particular is an indicator of good taste and that not being satisfied unless their preferences are met is a sign of sophistication. The point that Mark Nepo wants to make is “one key to knowing joy is being easily pleased,” and that demanding impossible perfection will always leave us disappointed. Quote: ”The further I wake into this life, the more I realize that God is everywhere and the extraordinary is waiting quietly beneath the skin of all that is ordinary. Light is in both the broken bottle and the diamond, and music is in both the flowing violin and the water dripping from the drainage pipe. Yes, God is under the porch as well as on top of the mountain, and joy is in both the front row and the bleachers…” if we are generous in our acceptance of life in the moment.

Acceptance of life as gift doesn’t mean liking everything that comes along, but it is quite different from demanding perfection, seeing life as never quite good enough, and living in perpetual disappointment. One more quote: ”the devastating truth is that excellence (perfection) can’t hold you in the night… A person dying of thirst doesn’t ask if the water has chlorine or if it was gathered in the foothills of France.” My point in sharing Nepo’s point of view: Life is a gift put into the hands of imperfect people who rarely experience perfection. An attitude of demanding is not a good way to say “thank you” to the gift giver. My wife has told me more than once that the words inscribed on my headstone will be: ”It’ll do.” So, that’s my gift to you this morning. Please don’t be demanding of perfection in grammar, choice of words, punctuation or writing style. This is not about literary perfection. It’s about spiritual awareness. Don’t miss the jewel contained in Nepo’s idea. Give it some thought. 

I am grateful for Mark Nepo’s The Book of Awakening. The subtitle tells it all: ”Having the life you want by being present to the life you have.” May you find blessing and joy in this extraordinarily ordinary day.