In the second grade, I started taking piano lessons. I had to practice for at least 30 minutes every single day. Most people have heard, “Practice makes perfect,” but my mother would always say, “Perfect practice makes perfect performance.” Just practicing wasn’t good enough; I had to practice it perfectly. What was the point of practice if you weren’t going to do it correctly.
Perfection for everyone looks differently. For me, perfection means everything you do, everything in your life, the way others perceive you, every single tiny thing about you is “on point” all the time. Perfection is exhausting. Perfection is an absolute untruth. No one on earth, nothing in nature, no job, no situation…absolutely nothing is perfect.
There is nothing wrong with trying to be your best self. Trying to better yourself is essential for growth in all areas of your life. I will be 43 this year, and for the first time in my life, I am going to a gym three times a week. I was always told that wasn’t for me, that I would be judged and wasn’t strong enough to be a “gym” person. But you know what, that was wrong, and I am loving the gym. My trainer is patient and kind, and I feel so strong when I leave, like I can truly accomplish anything. I am far from perfect at the gym, but I am giving it my best and really enjoying the results.
I recently read a quote from Jon Acuff that struck me to the core, “Progress is quiet. It whispers. Perfectionism screams failure and hides progress.” Perfectionism screams failure and hides progress, wow, I mean wow! Go back and read that again if you need to. I read it at least 10 times. When you are forcing everything to be perfect, you will only focus on all the failures. Being perfect is impossible, and when you are focused on the failures from perfectionism you will never be able to appreciate your progress.
So what the scale is up a pound, or even five pounds, you went to the gym three times this week. That alone is a win! Enjoy the quietness of progress. Progress is what it is all about. Keep pushing, keep pressing, keep going.
This week’s recipe is a yummy summer dessert that is packed with fresh summer fruit. It is the perfect sweet ending to your day.
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
April 19, 2024
