“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”–Vince Lombardi
We don’t have to be perfect. We should, however, pursue perfection with a healthy dose of reality.
The first reality is that perfection is merely an asymptote—an ever-shrinking target. It is not attainable, but it is the ultimate goal. (It should be the ultimate goal.)
The second reality is that “perfection” is individual. We are all blessed with different skills, attributes, and experiences that make each asymptote—call it “Purpose”—different. So, there is no room for comparison. You and I are meant to be different, and our “perfections” do not coincide. Don’t want what the others have. In gratitude, be who you are intended to be. (Believe it or not, you did choose your parents wisely.)
The third reality is that failure is essential on the path to “perfection”. Failure is a result of striving to be better tomorrow than you are today. Failure is the best teacher. Any growth—be it Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, or Social—requires overload (that is be stressed to a level greater than that to which we are accustomed). The more we challenge our limits, the more likely we are to fail, but the more likely we are also to see tremendous growth.
Finally, we have to realize that no one is perfect (other than Jesus, in the Christian tradition—and we are not Jesus). Not even that person who seems to have it all together. Don’t worry that you don’t compare to your neighbor. They, after all, don’t compare to you.
Grow. Challenge yourself to be better, and you will become better.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!