I think all of us live with unrealistic notions of what life should be like. The “perfection demon” prevents us from seeing what is perfect in who we are, where we are at, and what we have RIGHT NOW. When our reality doesn’t match up with the ideal, we are left feeling “less than” all those other people who are obviously more perfect than we are.
For some of us, this “perfection demon” ties us to a place of inaction — waiting for the perfect moment to do what we dream. We link together a long list of “if onlys” and attach our dream to the end. If only we could lose weight, if only we could earn more money,if only we were more loved! THEN we could be happy, accomplish our dreams, have that ideal relationship, enjoy our work, get our book published, make that sale, and so forth. We postpone our own happiness as we wait for that “perfect moment” to come.
Now I am beginning to understand that the present is perfect — just the way it is. I am learning to postpone nothing, to engage fully in the present moment, whatever it brings.
To look at the present as perfect — whatever it holds — is to look at it as being complete or whole. The present does not need to be judged against an imaginary ideal — it is complete in and of itself.
It seems to me that something big shifts for me when I stop judging and comparing my present to an imagined ideal and instead see it as perfect. When I see the present only for what it lacks, I lose. I lose my connection with the people I am with, with the beauty and wonder of the moment, with God. When I see the present as perfect — as whole and complete — I can relax and be present to the people and places that surround me. When I see the present as perfect, I stop seeing myself as “less than” and I can be myself. From that perfect place, I can take the steps necessary to do what God calls me to do with my life.
