Perfect Imperfection

Sometimes, developing spiritually and learning more about ourselves and the world requires that we first “unlearn” some lessons of the past. We often get taught very powerful yet incorrect lessons as we go through life.

Most parents would never hurt their kids but they often inadvertently do, by implanting debilitating messages – that who we are, what we do isn’t good enough, that imperfection is not acceptable, that to be praised, to be love, to be rewarded, we must be smart, good looking, rich, popular and respected. How many times have you seen parent screaming to a child that he’s careless, lazy, selfish or stupid? Will the child grow up to a self-affirming adult? Or will his sense of self-worth be affected?

Throughout our lives, we’ve been taught the value of pursuing perfection. That has led us to believe intrinsically that imperfection is wrong, that it’s incomplete, it’s broken, it’s bad. That we, and everything else, always needs fixing.

The sense of perfection is our greatest blessing. It’s present at all times and doesn’t require any healing or changes to take place. You only have to open your eyes and notice what is, rather than trying to correct what you believe is wrong.

In Japanese flower arranging it is common that one of the branches in the arrangement is bent or broken, to signify that the arranger has attempted to present the flowers in a “natural” state. It is the “imperfection” of the broken branch that makes it “perfect”, or closer to what naturally is.

Each of us, no matter how evolved we might believe ourselves to be, has imperfections and attachments. These imperfections and attachments are not something to be overcome or transcended, but rather something to be understood, appreciated, and accepted. Embrace who you are wholeheartedly.