“Ring the bells that still can ring; Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything; That’s how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen
Perfection not Required: Sanctuary at Omega
Perfection Not Required: That’s How the Light Gets In… Omega pathway…
Seek the Sanctuary of Beauty within & Let the Light Get In…
Leonard Cohen got it right with that stanza above from his beautiful poem/jazzy song. We live in a world where perfection and external beauty are often placed on a pedestal while inner beauty, truth and morality are not as appreciated. Yet, we are all flawed and the cracks are what humanize us and add to our inner, soulful beauty. We must look within.
Today, I invite you to consider the cracks that reveal your inner light and beauty. I invite you to embrace your beautiful self for all the special ways you honor those around you and for all the things you do to keep your life vibrant. Do you think you are not perfect or beautiful? Why? Who has interrupted your ability to offer what you can and be who you truly are? You are beautiful…as you are, perfection is not required.
“Accept your own beauty. You are beautiful no matter what your mind tells you. That is a fact. If you are aware of your own beauty and accept your own beauty, the opinion of others doesn’t affect you at all.” don Miguel Ruiz
Perfection not Required: Garden at Omega, Rhinebeck, NY
Perfection Not Required: That’s How the Light Gets In… Lakeside at Omega
Today let’s use our awareness to make this message true in our lives:
We all fall short somewhere and somehow, but beauty is an inner state and we must choose to see our own richness. As don Miguel suggests, we must not let the opinion of others affect or taint our belief in ourselves. Yes, we are all bombarded by messages about beauty, success, perfection, love, wealth and societal expectations are incredibly, ridiculously narrow… but don’t let that define you. You are beautiful where you are and for whom you are becoming. This I know for sure… beauty is in the eye of the beholder, behold yours now…
“You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy.” Anon
Perfection Not Required: That’s How the Light Gets In… By the meditation temple. Omega
Perfection Not Required: That’s How the Light Gets In… Entry to Omega Sanctuary.
Love yourself first and foremost…
Listen to the song below and read the lyrics. Then tell me why you see your human foibles as seismic fissures instead of the normal chips and cracks that are uniquely or collective lot? Our flaws are the markings of our life time of experiences … and we all have them. Why dwell on it?
Link to song ANTHEM
Leonard Cohen – Anthem
The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don’t dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government –
signs for all to see.
Perfection not Required: Koi Pond at Omega, Rhinebeck, NY
Perfection Not Required: That’s How the Light Gets In… One of several flower gardens at Omega
I can’t run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up
a thundercloud
and they’re going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring …
You can add up the parts
but you won’t have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
That’s how the light gets in.
That’s how the light gets in.
Use Your Awareness & Be Present…
I listen to Cohen’s song/poem and recognize the futility in holding unto ancient hurts and dwelling on situations that no longer serve me. Being present to those who care and wish us well is the answer. Focusing on a future that isn’t quite here and ignoring the present won’t help us achieve our dreams. We must do what we must in the now. Cohen croons, “Don’t dwell on what has passed away or what is yet to be.” Our love will come; our time in the sun will come… Let’s appreciate the value in the chips and cracks, and the light they bring in; they are our war stories and add depth to who we are… Happy Holidays!
Positive Motivation Tip: See the gift in our flaws: There is a crack in everything, that’s how let the light gets in.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Lyrics to Anthem via asLyrics
Photographs from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
