I’m not sure that I would describe today as perfect. I’m not certain that I am happy with the notion of perfect. I meet people in my life, some of whom I know really well, who are constantly striving for perfection. Such an approach can lead to disappointment as life never really matches up. I know others who talk about good enough. Now I know that I’m not very happy with that as a description either. I feel that a description of good enough suggests plenty of room for improvement. I spent my childhood being told that most of what I did wasn’t good enough and that I didn’t try or work hard enough so there was always room for improvement.
We are almost always haunted by our childhood demons. I worry about the demons I have created for my own children. As adults though we have to find ways of feeling good about our lives about ourselves and how we live our lives. So whilst I am certainly not seeking perfection in order to flourish I need to find my happy place between perfection and good enough!
So, how did I get to this today? Well as usual this morning I went to the market. The weather was a little overcast. However by the time we came home the sun was beginning to shine. I had planned to go to Morlaix this afternoon in order to buy some cleaning products for the gîte. I need some new cleaning cloths that don’t drop lint. However driving to Morlaix wasn’t really grabbing me. So I decided that I might sit in the garden, read my book, and look at crochet patterns. Reading crochet patterns may appear a strange pastime however I do enjoy it. I bought a second hand swing chair a little while ago, something that I have wanted for years, so I was able to sit in the sun in my chair.
Whilst I was sat there a parcel arrived for me. I have been talking to people about the need to use ergonomic crochet hooks in order to avoid issues such as carpel tunnel. I have been looking at using some chunkier yarns but until now I didn’t have any larger ergonomic hooks. I ordered some yesterday and they arrived today. They are in a case that says on the front, Today is Perfect’. So hence today’s title!
Until tomorrow…
Tales from the Sheshed France 
Love that you had a perfect day (well – good enough plus)! 😊.
I think that parental voice in our head can damage us all – because generally we remember the criticisms rather than the praise!
I certainly rejected the general messages about ‘boy children were better than girl children’; men were better than women; and people from my neighbourhood were ‘less worthy’ than those from more affluent addresses; and one skin colour was superior to another. In fact I was brought up to think Protestants were better than Catholics and home owners superior to private renters and private renters superior to council tenants – that’s a huge set of inferiorities/ superiorities to negotiate! A whole lot of voices chattering nonsense 😂
SO at an early age I just decided to be me. ME was ok. Some would look down, some would look up; some would love/ hate / be indifferent.
I think that’s why Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ and Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ are iconic (and often sung as karaoke when people are drunk).
We are in fact just the perfect us – if we accept ourselves as we are. Nobody can be ‘us’ better than we can! It doesn’t mean we are perfect, doesn’t mean we are just ‘good enough’ – it means we are uniquely ourselves – imperfect, well intentioned, sometimes amazing, sometimes dreadful – but always uniquely ourselves.
We are definitely our best selves sat on a swing chair, enjoying life and thinking about nothing much at all – now that IS mindfulness
With love to you and yours always 🤗🤗🤗
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Thank you. This brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful, and yes being uniquely me!
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I’m sorry to hear of your demons, I’m sure you’ve more than surpassed any expectations by now. My parents and community had few expectations other than stay out of jail or at least don’t get caught. It does mean that anyone does achieve anything, no one’s impressed.
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I think in order to flourish we need to impress ourselves rather than those around us. It’s a lesson that I’ve found really hard to learn. I’m getting better!
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