Perfection Not Required: That’s How the Light Gets In…
“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
beautiful photos.. very peaceful… i like the leonard cohen poetry… let’s embrace everyone our flaws are openings that allow us to embrace/be embraced.
Indeed, our flaws add to our uniqueness really… Happy Holidays! 🙂
I love Leonard Cohen. I don’t comment on your posts because I’ve been reading them from my e-mail box and my cell phone. I can’t type on a teeny tiny keyboard! Very nice post today. Enjoy the holiday week.
Hi Rose,
Long time no see/hear… Thanks for the comment. I get yours via email too but I read them on my laptop; the cell screen is not large enough. Happy Holidays to you and yours too! 🙂
What a beautiful post. I’m going to borrow from it, if you don’t mind. I love the poem, and this line will remain in my head for days… “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
Brings me to tears, but then everything seems to do that these days.
Thanks for this Elizabeth! xo
Dear Barbara,
Borrow away… I love this poem and the accompanying song too. Simply beautiful. Hold onto those cleansing tears… they wipe away our fears. 🙂
Blessings!
From the perfect comes the perfect … Just as we are. This is a very touching post.
I love the message and the poem and the song. It resonates deeply especially at this time of the year.
You keep digging deep from that place and I support the journey. This is a gift.
B
Om purnah madah, purnah midam purnat… so true! Sometimes, in our zeal to be perfect, we forget to just enjoy the grace around us. Thank you for the blog support and sending Happy Holiday wishes to you and yours… 🙂
The peace one can receive from just viewing the photos you posted is amazing! Thank you, Elizabeth…you never disappoint 🙂
Thank you Vivian and I will visit you again… I have been offline the last few days.
Amazing that the holidays are upon us. 🙂
Be blessed!
What gorgeous pictures – and it looks so sunny there. Very tranquil just to look at.
Thank you for the comment… They were taken in early fall while the flowers were still blooming.
Have you been to Omega Institute? It is a wonderfully relaxing place to visit too. 🙂
Happy Holidays!
Elizabeth
I found your blog on Google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the fantastic work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Thank you for stopping by and do come back and visit again. If you have a blog, I’ll happily read it. 🙂
Elizabeth
Simply Beautiful…
Thank you Arva, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Elizabeth
i have written a blog too… on this topic….
Do read it :
http://rollingcoasters.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/how-being-imperfect-is-perfect/
Hi Arva,
I enjoyed reading your post… very beautiful. Thanks again for your comments!
Elizabeth
Beautiful!!!!!! It is a heaven.
It sure is and my pictures don’t do it justice. 🙂