In speaking to a group of new friends, I had the opportunity to share my thoughts on “perfection”. It made me think of this post, one of the earliest posts I ever wrote for my blog, that really hit home with so many people when I shared it. Enjoy!
I am Perfect.
Perfectly imperfect, that is.
I use the word ?perfect ? a lot, and often times had people remind me that nothing is perfect. I totally disagree. I believe that everyone and every thing is perfect and beautiful in its imperfect state of being. Think about that for one second ? imagine that just maybe your imperfections actually make you perfect. Don?t you just love the freedom that thought gives you? Well, time to realize the reality of the thought and let go of our self-judgments and negative self-talk. It?s time to embrace our imperfections.
Now I?m not saying to throw caution to the wind and go indulge in a gallon of super chunky triple chocolate fudgy goo. I?m saying that it?s okay to mess up, and it?s okay to have faults. For those of you that don?t, I?m sorry. These faults, trials, imperfections and stumbles are our some of our greatest blessings ? they?re our ?springboards? to becoming the strongest person we can possibly be!
So why do we so often find ourselves “masking up” for the day before we go out in public? Why do we all feel the need to pretend to be something we are not? Why are we so scared of who we really are? Every time we put on that mask we feel beautiful and invincible. We put on a show of perfection for our friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances?everyone. We?re not true to them, but most importantly we are not true to ourselves. We are a fraud.
Ever feel that way? I sure have, and I still find myself there at times. I have to remind myself of a lesson I learned from my late father: true beauty comes from being honest and authentic.
You?re scared. I hear you. It?s not easy to peek out from behind that mask and share our difficulties and challenges with the world. But trust me, it?s worth it! The freedom that comes with being vulnerable, open, and real is unlike anything else. It?s the most liberating thing I?ve ever experienced, and without a doubt it has become one of the most powerful tools in my arsenal.
?Heidi, this is easy for you to say. You don?t have imperfections like I do.? FALSE! The camera is deceiving and shallow.
Behold, a Top 10 list of only some of my many imperfections:
- I have bunions.
- My nostrils flare to the size of a nickel when I laugh (those of you who know me know EXACTLY what I?m talking about!)
- My hair might be beautiful?but only because I clip in extensions (and that?s not the only enhanced part of me).
- I am a control freak (I?m working on it ? so darn hard though, and not sure I?m making much improvement).
- I have food issues too.
- One of my eyes is lazy when I smile and I am SO self-conscious about it.
- Chris is my soul mate and best friend, and so often we post pictures of us when things are fun and rosy, but we, like every other couple, have challenges and differences that we?re always working on.
- I am tempted 99.9% of the time to cheat during my workouts.
- No matter how hard I work on my abs, I will always have a belly button that could be mistaken for a nose.
- I don?t wake up looking camera-ready. ?Thank goodness for hair and makeup artists!
So many more, but there?s not enough room in this blog.
So, how do you find this place of peace with yourself as you are?
Rule 62 ? DON?T TAKE YOURSELF SO DAMN SERIOUSLY (thanks again, Dad).
Don?t be scared or embarrassed. You?re in a safe place and it?s time for a heart to heart conversation with the most important person in your life – YOU! Dig deep and allow yourself to see those imperfections. Try seeing the beauty in your flaws (yes, that bump on your nose makes you YOU!). Realize the lessons and strength that your imperfections have given you. And most importantly, don?t worry about what other people think. One of my favorite sayings is, ?Those who mind don?t matter and those who matter don?t mind.?
Now go be your perfectly imperfect self ?:-).
184 Responses
Thanks for that blog. That is totally me. I have a big nose, and my second toe is longer than the big toe, and I have weight issues. I could go on and on. It is refreshing to see someone a beautiful as you have the same issues I have. Blessings.
I find myself in a slump right now. I hate my body want to be thinner. I haven’t been able to work out due to a bad car accident lost my home finances are tough so I comfort eat. I’ve had to stay at a friends at night but mostly live out of my car during the day. Trying with agencies to get rental help. I feel so frustrated. I volunteer and raised my childtrn all alone who are now grown. I hope you can help. You are inspiring.
Loved your post….I feel great now! Thanks Heidi
When I had my second child I suffered from bells palsy when half my face went numb doctors thought I had a stroke but luckily it wasnt but when I take pictures I have to position myself because my face never recovered to its original state and I cant stand taking pictures
Thanks you!!!!! I like you sooo much!!!! It’s ALWAYS when i need the most that i see n read your post… Even if i don’t understand everything (i speak french)….It’s a little sunshine in my darkness!! 🙂
awesome ya we all have our flaws. mine is my weight, hair growth on my chin and acne and somedays i accept it and other days i struggle . but i keep trying to get healthy and wont give up till i have enough motivation too follow through
I think you are wonderful and you and Chris are an inspiration! You have a beautiful family and you both inspire me each and every day. I really love your blog, it’s great you shared what you do to prepare for your day. I think many women try to strive for perfect and compare ourselves to women we see as perfect and it’s a good reminder that everyone has something they don’t like about themselves and we all work to be the best self we can be and that is really the most important thing. Being the beat version of who we each are.
Thank you for all you and Chris do!
Jill
I really liked your blog, so happy that i saw it. Right now I have many imperfections that i’m working on. My weight happens to be the biggest one, i’m on this journey to being healthy. I use to look at my bi polar disorder as an imperfection but now i look at it as a perfect imperfection. My illness has allowed me to help others, and i wouldn’t trade that in for anyhting else in this world <3
Heidi,
Loved your blog! Thank you so much for reposting and am so glad you wrote about imperfection since we are living in a world where the media strongly suggests we need to be perfect in order to have worth, and this is such an imperfect world!
A lot of people also think that because the Bible talks about perfection that they have to be perfect. So they try to please God and earn “points”. This is SO NOT NECESSARY! In Hebrew the word “perfect” actually means complete.
I did a little “Googling” and I found this on a webpage called The Voice: “The Hebrew word (tam or tamim) does not carry the meaning of “without flaw” as does the term “perfect” in English. It normally means complete or mature or healthy (for example, Lev 22:21). That meaning of mature dominates most use of the Greek term in the New Testament (telos).
Something, or someone, can be complete or mature yet not be “without flaw.” In fact, it is much easier to be mature and still have flaws, than it is to be without error or without flaw. Many people are mature, but few if any are “without flaw.” A six year old can be mature, and still have a lot of growing to do.”
So you are right on the money! God does not make junk! He even says we are wonderfully made: You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother?s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous?and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! Psalm 139:13-15
So I say we should embrace our imperfections and take one step at a time towards completeness! I like to say progress not perfection!
And by the way, I think everyone would agree that you don’t need extensions, and you are beautiful just the way you are; with your bunions and without your makeup in the morning. 🙂
Thanks for being you,
Pam Hanna
i just LOOOOVE this family!!! kisses from Brazil