Better Than Perfect
I don’t subscribe to the idea that we are perfectly imperfect. I just think we are born perfect. I know that’s hard for some people to swallow…but I believe it’s true. Here’s why…
I often teach my clients that they can relax, because they’re already perfect. They don’t need to do or say or become anything different because they are enough, exactly as they are!
The dictionary definition of perfect is: “having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be; completely free from faults or defects or as close to such a condition as possible.”
When I think of perfect, I think of words like whole, complete, precisely right, purposeful, created for a specific reason, without flaw. And to me, those words simply mean that you are exactly who you are supposed to be. You have a unique purpose. And you are the only person who can fulfill that purpose.
Recently, during one of my sessions, I shared this idea of perfect with my client. She had a really hard time believing it. Her argument was that if she was actually perfect, she wouldn’t need to learn or change anything—ever! And, she argued, isn’t changing and growing the purpose of life?
I shared with her the analogy of a rose. A rose seed is about the size of a pinhead. It’s tiny! But inside of that seed is everything it needs to grow into a beautiful, perfect rose. So I asked her, “At what point does that seed become perfect? Is it perfect when it’s a seed sitting on a shelf? Or does it become perfect when it first starts to sprout? Is it perfect when it puts out it’s first rosebud? Or is it only perfect when it’s in full bloom?”
Of course, that rose seed is perfect at any point during its journey. It’s perfect as a seed, a sprout, a bud, a rose—it’s even perfect when it’s wilting. Because no matter where it is in its progression, it’s exactly what it is meant to be.
My client wasn’t having any of it. She really pushed me on this, and no matter what I said, she refused to see herself as perfect.
I’ve thought about this a lot since that day, and I’ve decided to amend my statement for those who have difficulty believing they are perfect.
I no longer think you’re perfect.
I THINK YOU’RE BETTER THAN PERFECT!
Look…there’s nothing imperfect about us when we are born. Anyone who’s held a newborn baby will agree. We are perfect little beings with incredible potential who are loved and cared for simply because we exist. That never changes!
As we learn and grow, we just get better! Because that is what life is all about.
But learning and growing doesn’t mean you weren’t perfect to start with. It just means you have more potential inside of you that you haven’t reached…just like a rose seed.
I’m passionate about this because I really think that if we all saw ourselves as perfect, there would be a lot less suffering in the world. And the truth is, perfection is all about who you are at your core, not about what you do in your daily life.
A great example of this is a little guy named Nathan Glad. Nathan has a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta—ie:Brittle Bone. He has broken more than 1000 bones and endured some incredible pain. He’s been teased by his peers for being different and suffered other tragic losses in his life. But instead of shriveling up and hiding from the world, Nathan is releasing a book called, “Best Day Ever: A Little Book (from a little guy) with some Big Ideas on how to be Happy.” If you looked at Nathan, you might see an imperfect guy with a lot of problems. But if you look inside of Nathan, you’ll discover a perfect being who is fulfilling his purpose in the best way he can.
You can preorder his book here.
You are perfect.
Nothing can change that.
In fact, I think you’re better than perfect.
No matter what you look like—fat, thin, beautiful, ugly, tall, short, blonde, brunette, caucasian, Latino, African, Asia—
No matter what you’ve accomplished—highly educated, high school drop out, doctor, lawyer, school teacher, stay-at-home-mom, married, single, in a relationship—
No matter where you are in life—young, old, middle-aged—
YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU’RE ALREADY BETTER THAN PERFECT!
But it doesn’t matter what I think, because the only important thing is what you think.
So today, give yourself a few minutes to really ponder this question: “What would change in your life if you believed you were already perfect? Better than perfect?”
Don’t try to change anything else. Just imagine your life if you believed you were perfect.
Then go out and practice believing it—because it’s true!
Have a fantastic day!
