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
I love this post. If we were all 100% perfect life would get boring. As Jimmy Buffett says, “if we weren’t all crazy, we would go insane.” It means exactly what you are saying in Rule 62. You can’t take yourself so serious. That would drive someone insane. Stop,smell the roses, and laugh at yourself a little.
Heidi!
I am so glad to read this! My feet look just like yours and I have always had insecurities with them. So glad to see one of my role models and idols has imperfections just like me! 🙂
Perfect article. Heidi, you are even more beautiful now and thanks for always encouraging and helping other women to feel beautifully flawed too.
Thanks for this,I needed it but I still need to work on myself and how I feel about myself, sadly nothing major can be done because I can’t afford it but only time will tell.
xoxo
What i have noticed is everyone has their flaws but no one should be ashamed of them. These flaws are what make us unique and apart of who we are. I know i have a ton of flaws and issues with myself. But acceptance is the one way to move forward. This blog is amazing. Heidi Powell you are amazing!!
You just made me a lifetime fan. Thanks for “keepin’ it real!”
Heidi you are a true gem beautiful inside and out. You are right there is nothing perfect in this world and to many people judge the outside beauty. Everyone needs to invest on what’s inside a person! Wish people were more more like you!! I continue to ensure I am comfortable in my own skin and be proud of who I am. Thanks for sharing!!! Keep doing what you do!!! MRoz – Az
i think u look beautiful au natural..i watch u and chris every week and i can relate to most of the people on ur show..ive been a compulsive over eater for almost 30 years and i have been obese for 20 of those..currently i am 224 lbs with a BMI of 38..i have stage 2 diastolic heart failure, hypertension, high cholesterol, GERD and sleep apnea..i suffer with reflex sympathetic dystrophy and fibromyalgia so it is difficult to exercise although it is necessary to keep active because of it..to complicate things i have suffered with depression and anxiety for as long as i can remember..ive always had such a negative view of myself and all this weight makes it even worse..i cant even stand to look at myself..i have tried lots of diets and exercise plans and have even contemplated bariatric surgery..i start out positive and energetic but always fail..financially i am unable to seek any other help..i know i am not as obese as ur regular clients but i dont see a way to lose this weight and get back my health without ur help..i believe in what u do for ur clients and i believe that u could help me..all i ask for is a chance..i would appreciate any help u could give me..i want to be around for my kids and my grandchild..and for once in my life i want to actually like myself..thanks for all u do
Hi Pam: Thank you for sharing your story with us. Check out Chris and Heidi’s carb cycling program in their book, “Choose More, Lose More for Life.” It’s a complete nutrition and exercise program, and it’s the same one they use on the show. Learn about the nutrition basics here: https://heidipowell.net/2713/carb-cycling-101/. With all your health issues, it’s best if you discuss their program with your healthcare team so you can work together to put a modified carb cycling program in place that can help you reach your goals and stay safe in the process. You can do this! 🙂
Thank you so much! This brought tears to my eyes! I know we can all find beauty in the “imperfect” and thank you so much for reminding us that imperfect is beautiful. I have rheumatoid arthritis, arthralgia, fibromyalgia and gout sometimes and through all the pain and suffering, I fear that one day I will be so crippled and my hands would be so deformed, but this only gives me more hope and inspires me to press on and find beauty and enjoy the life that God has given me. I keep working out despite the pain and imperfections! Thank you and hugs!
Heidi, you just made me smile from ear to ear! I had to laugh out loud (for real) at some of your imperfections because we share a few. I, too, have a lazy eye (only when its time to take a picture) and it bugs me to no end! In fact I like to refer to the normal eye as “big eye”. I have freckles that make me feel like a cheetah and a list of other “imperfections” to rival yours but you know what, it’s all part of my story. You are an awesome inspiration! Thank you!!
Thank you. It seems that we all are trying to measure up to our own goals, or what we determine to be perfect… even if it’s not an accurate perception. Do you think that plastic surgery such as breast augmentation is okay to get? Especially for some one who is thin and has lost their figure because they are fit or do you think that everyone should be happy as long as they are at a low weight and not get surgery to obtain a better look that cannot happen naturally?
Sara, if enhancements make YOU feel stronger & more confident, then why would that not be ok? Do it for yourself thou, not anyone’s else’s ideas of perfect! How is that any different than getting teeth whitened or straightened? It can make us more confident in our own skin 🙂