Reflections: In A Perfect World…
“In a perfect world, one we’ve never known, we would never need to face the world alone.” Kovu & Kiara (Lion King 2)
Reflections: In A Perfect World... there would be no need for perfection...
In a perfect world, one we’ve never known,
we would never need to face the world alone,
They can have the world, we’ll create our own,
I may not be brave or strong or smart,
But somewhere in my secret heart…
“The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.” George Orwell
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Winston Churchill
What would your perfect world look like? Is it idealism that makes us seek perfection? Instead of spending time worrying about perfection, it would be best to get on with living life, managing our flaws, and respecting each other’s imperfections. What prompted my interest in this topic? I’ve been fighting with myself to handle the blog better even as I battle health matters… with shifting schedules and priorities. The perfectionist in me wants all the LEGO bits to fall into place and fit, whilst the realist in me knows that even when the Dominoes tiles fall, one can start over; that is life. We need to stop being so hard on ourselves and on each other. We do the best we can and honor the rest in due time. Perfection is not a requirement for life. True.
♥In a perfect world, having a blog assistant/virtual secretary would be great.
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” Anna Quindlen
Reflections: In A Perfect World... Our grass would be perfect & green; just as we are.
I know, love will find a way,
Anywhere I go, I’m whole, If you are there beside me,
Like dark, turning into day,
Somehow we’ll pull through, now that I’ve found you, love will find a way…
“All that attention to the perfect lighting, the perfect this, the perfect that, I find terribly annoying.” Meryl Streep
“The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.” Eugene Delacroix
If we would stop for a moment and consider the wisdom in Anna Quindlen’s book “Being Perfect,” we might become less inclined to torture ourselves with guilt and just get on with the art of embracing who we are and where we are; quirks, warts, foibles and all… We are perfect as we are and perfectly blessed for who we are. In one part of her book, Anna suggests that we look carefully at how we spend our time and ask ourselves why we make certain choices. The answer she encourages us to have, and we had better believe it honestly and unequivocally, is that our daily choices are made: “Because they are what I want, or wish for. Because they reflect who and what I am. . . .” Is that truly how we face our daily plan of action? If not, why not?
♥In a perfect world, all our actions would be relevant, pure, productive and beneficial for us and others.
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint Exupery
Reflections: In A Perfect World... the sky would kiss the sea and all would be well...
I was so afraid, now I realize
Love is never wrong, and so it never dies,
There’s a perfect world shining in your eyes,
And if only they could feel it too,
The happiness I feel with you they’d know…
“To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” Confucius
“To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.” Walt Whitman
We learn to appreciate the miracle of life more when we have come close to losing it… Good health is a blessed gift, however, when we struggle with ill-health, it teaches us to become compassionate, patient, grateful, and perhaps more forgiving of the reactions and behavior of others. Nature is composed of many perfect parts; on land, sea, air, from plant life to animal and human life, and all thrive in varying degrees of strength and beauty. We depend on each other to sustain our world and keep the chain of life flowing. If we could find ways to practice the five qualities or virtues Confucius mentioned above, it would not only revolutionize our lives but also our perception of the world and all in it.
♥In a perfect world, each of us would practice the five virtues; gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness. Always more below… 😉
“Everything is perfect in the universe – even your desire to improve it.” Wayne Dyer
Reflections: In A Perfect World... Home would be wherever our heart feels welcomed...
Love will find a way,
Anywhere we go, we’re whole, If we are there together,
Like dark, turning into day,
Somehow we’ll pull through, now that I’ve found you, love will find a way
I know love will find a way…
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Jesus Christ
“A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals a secret of hidden treasure.” Gautama Buddha
Our family cat, Tangy, loves us equally, and is often oblivious to the flurry of activity in our household. He is steady in his love and trusts us implicitly. He has a home, expects to be fed, cuddled, and entertained often. His world is perfect even though he can’t go outside and play with the neighborhood cats. There is beauty in his approach. His surrender to his circumstance and acceptance of his loving environment is enough. We could all learn a lot from our pets about perfection, perception and compassion. We need all three and the freedom to just be without worrying so much about propriety… People are far more forgiving and understanding than we give each other credit for… Thank you for your patience.
♥In a perfect world, all pets would be immortal… and all humans would be lovable.
What are your thoughts? What would your perfect world look like? Is it idealism that makes us seek perfection? If you could choose 3 things in a perfect world, what would you choose? Do share! Thank you. 😉
This post was inspired by a prompt from SoulPancake: In A Perfect World… Quick and easy: Describe your perfect world in 10 words or less.
Positive Motivation Tip: Perfection is a state of mind, embrace your flaws and stand tall.
Related articles
- 30 Things You Should Stop Doing To Yourself! (learnedtongue.wordpress.com)
- Don’t hang the jury (thepunch.com.au)
- Cat Quotes (itstartsrightmeeeoooww.wordpress.com)
- 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself (ken_ashford.typepad.com)
- Him (angelschoice.wordpress.com)
- Understanding Your Sphere of Perfection (theroot.com)
- I see that I never really got it right… (theballadofjoeyflowers.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Perfect Lillium, Perfect Grass, Perfect Cobb, Perfect House, via Wikipedia or via Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
There is no perfect world or self… my personal opinion… If it were the case would we know what poverty or happiness is? Would we know from right or wrong?
Your post is thought provoking and would be curious to read other view point….
Thank you
We are perfectly made… just as we are and that is a great thing. All too often, we negate our blessings and gifts as we busily pursue blind and not so blind pathways. There is beauty and wisdom in all conditions and we can find perfection there too. TY! 🙂
Great entry with great messages nice post 🙂
TY! It is an interesting subject for discussion…especially around the subject of pre-conceived ideas… 🙂
something to make me think! Good post
Oh yes, and I was thinking about you today… Hope you are feeling better each day. TY! 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that you have had health concerns, Elizabeth. You maintain such a high level of work on your posting that I think you are doing a wonderful job. But I still really respect your topic! We all need to be encouraged to think about how having very high perfectionistic standards can make it hard to celebrate each day! My perfect days are when I am just able to be with my granddaughters. They never require me to be anything other than me. All I have to do is show up! Debra
TY for your well wishes…. all will be well. Being a perfectionist is hard for all who venture down that road… Showing up and being present works well. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ygbp_4Apks
vento
TY for the music! You are so kind… 🙂
“We could all learn a lot
from our pets about perfection,
perception and compassion…”
+
And even if they get ill,
we can adore their patience
while suffering with dignity …
Yes, indeed. Pets suffer with dignity and we could learn a lot from them… 🙂
There isn’t any perfect world. It’s an illusion. We need to understand each other. 🙂
Understanding and accepting each other as we are works. 🙂
I want to wish you perfect health and well being. We live in a world of duality and what is perfection to one is imperfection to another. There is a way to transend duality beyond the opposites of perfection and imperfection. This leads us to a paradoxical experience of simply being what is and gives us peace of mind. This is a wonderful blog and it is almost perfect and thats OK
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Thank you for your well wishes too. I’m taking it one blessed day at a time… Your line…”This is a wonderful blog and it is almost perfect and thats OK” made me laugh out loud. Touche! It’s okay with me too. Happy Holidays! 🙂
We do indeed need to be less hard with ourselves. It’s much better to do whatever you want now instead of waiting for all the pieces to come together perfectly – not the least when we talk about creativity. But so it is in all aspects of life. What is perfection? Elizabeth, you have gathered a handful of very inspirational quotes. The world is as it is, and thus perfect. But if I should still think in a perfect world it would be people living in peace with each other, in balance with nature and with compassion for everybody. Thank you for a great post.
I agree. I think illness can also come from not being as compassionate with ourselves and our bodies as needed. TY for your feedback too… Peaceful living is key. 🙂
I would not like a “perfect world”..this would lead us to all the things we are taught living in this imperfect world…..I have learned so much..and still have so much more to learn….Although, I do agree..as seeing a perfect world..to see everyone living in peace with each other…This was a great post !
The world is what it is and we can view it whichever way we choose. Peace is key. TY! 🙂
For me, there isn’t a “perfect,” but more of a trying hard and using what I can…. Maya Angelou…trying to live with this perspective…. “I did the best I could with what I knew how, and when I knew better, I did better”…. “Right now, I’m doing the best I can with what I know how, and when I know better, I’ll do better” ….with kindness, acceptance, patience, tolerance, compassion and whatever wisdom I can access….and nurturing myself and others…. a few ways that I try to live my own life …. : )
I like that… As long as we try, we are on the road to living fully. TY! 🙂
I hope and pray that you are winning your battle with the health issues. This is such a wonderful, well-written post. Thank you for the daily inspiration Elizabeth!
I just read an article and watched a video on The Huffington Post that seems to reinforce your article. A researcher named Brene Brown talks about choosing to perfect, perform, and please our way out of vulnerability.
(Best of TED 2011 #8, Brene Brown: The Power Of Vulnerability)
TY for your well wishes! Healing energy accepted and shared… Actually, I read that TED article too and found it quite interesting… I will go dig it up and add the link here. Brene Brown: The Power Of Vulnerability. Thanks again. 😉
We can learn a lot from our pets and hopefully from each other. This is a generous reminder to love ourselves a touch more.
Hope you continue to feel better and share your light.
B
TY! Healing energy accepted… Loving ourselves and respecting each other’s choices is a good start. 🙂
If this world were perfect, there would be nothing to strive for. As for me, I’m aiming for a peaceful journey–that’s all I ask.
I’m with you on that one too…. A peaceful journey. TY! 🙂
Perfect is so hard to define, but I think that if we could wish for one perfect thing, it would be for a world without cancer. This disease touches almost everyone, either directly or indirectly and causes people to suffer and to be taken away from us. The world would be a better place without cancer.
Amen to that… We could all benefit from a world without disease… It would be a great blessing. TY! 🙂
In a perfect world, in addition to all the above, there would be laughter, lots of laughter, but only caring laughter.
Laughter is good for the soul…especially when we are struggling with health issues. TY for that reminder! 🙂
I tend not to seek perfection in myself or others . . . but like Katherine, I would say a perfect world would ring with laughter.
A resounding YES to laughter. I hear you. As I age and adapt to the many shape shifting events that make life what it is, I see the value in going with the flow; even if it is not quite as I envisioned it… TY! 🙂
♥In a perfect world, all pets would be immortal… and all humans would be lovable.
I love this line! Have to share it. Thanks Elizabeth,
b
I love it too and partial credit goes to my daughter A, whose idea this was. TY! 🙂
My one thought is we can learn many things from our animal friends. For instance, from my bored house cat . . .when bored stiff, sleep!
Another great read!
😆 I love your cat already and I could use his version of a snooze.
TY! 🙂
Love Cocomino’s comment.
What can you do for yourself in 2012, Elizabeth, to let go of perfection and keep embracing love and compassion for yourself as you do so beautifully for others on this blog?
Hugs and wishes for good health! 🙂
Hugs and wishes back… I love the comment too. 🙂
It is a perfect world, Elizabeth!
When we strive for perfection, what we’re really striving for is more control.
Amen to that… perfection in imperfection. 🙂
The photos, especially the top flower and the house, are just lovely.
My idea of a perfect world? Peace, enough food for all, education and medical care affordable or classed as a public good and therefore government funded.
Environmental protection so our grandchildren still have a world to live in.
No borders would be a good idea. Personally, for me the perfect world would have no religions either, but I know that’s a long way off!
I’ll take peace first every day… and then the rest and more… TY! 😉
“♥ In a perfect world, having a blog assistant/virtual secretary would be great.”
I can REALLY relate to that. lol! Lovely post as usual, Elizabeth. 🙂
TY for being so patient. If I had one, I would not be so behind in commenting on the many blogs I love and read… yours included. 🙂