Every moment of every day, choose. Choose to do the right thing, the tough thing, - not the familiar, easy thing. Choose the way of the warrior or the way of the coward. Make your choice out of love instead of fear. Choose from the heart. Choose to live fully, not to sleepwalk through your life. Choose to respond with the way you really feel, not the way you're supposed to feel. ...Make your own choices in your own time and choose to stick to them.
~excerpt from Words of Wisdom for Women by Rachel Snyder. p. 45
~excerpt from Words of Wisdom for Women by Rachel Snyder. p. 45
Choices seem to get harder as we grow older and life gets bigger. But they're easier in many ways because we're more aware of what we want. Sometimes what keeps us from choosing is wanting all the circumstances to be perfect, wanting to make the perfect choice. I read this piece on perfectionism and there's so much truth in it, I had to share. Hope it blesses someone else.
From The Relief of Imperfection by Joan C. Webb
Trying too hard to make it all just right…
is a relentless chase for flawlessness. (=impossible)
This works against me and often leads to procrastination.
Partnering with God in excellence…is enjoying quality in balance. (=possible)This works for me and motivates me to action.
Life is shaped…
1)By the pursuit of doing. (i.e., over-working, over-helping, over-controlling)
2)By the pursuit of being. (i.e., a heart relationship with God)
My self-talk sounds like…
1)I must, I should, I ought to, I have to. (=reactionary compulsion)
2)I wish, I want to, I can, I will. (=intentional action)
I expect to be…
1)The best in comparison to everyone and everything else. (=unrealistic)
2)The best version of myself—that is, the person God created me to be. (=doable and reasonable)
I’m motivated by…
1)Avoiding others’ negative opinions and disapproval.
2)Self-responsibility before my loving God, and desire for growth.
I dwell in…
1)Fantasy—I’m limited to all-or-nothing, good-or-bad, black-or-white thinking.
2)Reality—I see the truth of my circumstances and choices, and know that I have many colorful options.
Long-term, my efforts…
1)Frustrate others, distance me from the people I care about, and often create discord.
2)Contribute to healthy relationships and create a safe environment for my own growth and that of others.
The bottom line of my approach to life is…
1)A misconception: People, relationships, events, circumstances, and projects have the ability to be perfect. When they are not, then life, others, and I myself become a continual disappointment.
2)The truth: People,relationships, events, circumstances, and projects do not have the ability to be constantly flawless here on earth: only God is perfect. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.
Thanks for sharing this piece B. I enjoyed reading it.