DAY 19: SEEK PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION
The majority of my life I have held a view of "PERFECTION" that I have come to realize is wrong. This *inaccurate* view has led me to be a "PERFECTIONIST",which can *only* lead to disappointment & unhappiness as long as we accept that *this* view is correct.
The dictionary defines "PERFECTIONIST" as: A person who will not accept or be content with anything less than perfect.
The definition it gives for "PERFECT" is:(1)Being without fault or defect. (2)Exact;precise.
Now that the *most accepted views* are before us,try to imagine what life would be like for one who "will not accept or be content with anything less than" "being without fault or defect."
It's *not* a pretty life. Many of us can testify to that fact. In all our struggles to *make it* a pretty life,in all the *years* we have attempted (& WASTED) to make it so,it has *never* been attained! For *any* of us.
How could it *ever* be otherwise?! It is *impossible* to do so when we,as human beings are WITH "fault or defect",IMPERFECT.
The *only* way to a life of happiness & disappointment that we can bear up under & still be content with is by "correcting" the way we think of "PERFECT" & "PERFECTION".
In past Journals of mine,(March 9,2014:Limitations brings Realizations; March 24,2014:Perspective/Attitude; & the 1st Journal of March 26,2014:Getting the Life *I* Want)I spoke about how the things we *think* give rise to the things we do(or don't do).And one of my often referred to quotes:
"Action *follows* Thought"
fits right in with this conversation & todays Daily Challenge Assignment. As well does the words of the Apostle James(my favorite Bible writer:D)when he said: "Consider it all *joy*,my brothers,when you meet with various *trials*,knowing as you do that this tested quality of faith works out endurance.But let endurance have it's work complete,that *you* may be complete & sound in all respects,*not lacking in anything*.(James 1:2-4)
James gives us a *different* way to "consider...not lacking in anything", "PERFECTION".
Rather than be disappointed that we don't make the mark,so to speak,& that we *wont* make the mark, because of it's impossibility,he urges us to be *happy* about it. To "consider it joy" when we "meet with various trials". Why? How can we be happy in instances that are "trials"? BECAUSE,as James says:"KNOWING that this *tested* quality *of faith*(faith is what we believe/what we think to be true)works out *endurance*" & when *we LET* endurance "have its work complete" WE will be "complete...not lacking in anything."("PERFECT")--Easier said than done,right? BUT,*this way* is not impossible! WE CAN *DO* THIS! It's about our attitude,our perspective,our view of it,our "faith",what we BELIEVE.
When what we believe is "tested"(or is put under trials)& we *endure* (last,persist,bear,tolerate,suffer firmly or patiently)THEN we will be "PERFECT",not lack in anything! It is the same procedure that Jesus Christ underwent & set a model for us to follow.(Hebrews 5:8-9)
*This* view of perfect/perfection is *now* what I believe to be the *correct* way of looking at it. *This* is the more *accurate* perspective. It is ATTAINABLE! I,for one,do not believe that Jehovah God, Jesus Christ his Son,or the apostles of old that faithfully followed Him,would encourage us to set as a goal something we could not achieve.
If *you* are in doubt as to *what to think*,please read the above mentioned Journals in parenthesis. They may be able to help you reason on it a little more for yourself.
I prefer to call this Daily Challenge: Progressing To Accurate Perfection :D