Sunday Musings – October 9, 2022
Perfect in our Imperfectness
In my memory bank it was the late Louise Hay from whom I first heard the phrase “We are perfect in our imperfectness.” Ms. Hay was one of the motivational speakers and authors who worked for/with those of us living with the AIDS epidemic. At a time when many were inaccurately calling AIDS the gay plague and religious leaders were asserting it was the punishment of the God of their understanding for sinful or even evil behavior, individuals such as Louise Hay, Elizabeth Kubler Ross, Ram Dass and members of the LGBT community echoed the positive message of those who clearly understood that:
True spiritual teachers remind us of humans that in accepting our vulnerability to physical and emotional disease we are our most creative and strongest.
Daily I attempt to articulate a spiritual goal. Today my spiritual goal is to be quiet and “listen” to:
Many of my “mistakes, shortcomings and failures” have to do with the expectations I conjure up for other people, companies, and situations. I am well aware of how much “discomfort” my expectations cause myself and others. When people and situations do not intuit and meet my expectations, I can easily fall into the trap of blaming them and hurl insults directly or indirectly at the person or situation. As soon as I behave in a way which is inconsistent with the fact that it was my expectations and not their behavior which was the problem, I then begin to direct the insults at myself while profusely apologizing for my behavior. Sometimes I manage to simultaneously continue to blame the other and myself!!!
Angie Karan, the author, is quoted on “goodreads.com” as saying: “People who make mistakes are more like-able than those who appear perfect. We can’t connect with perfect…but we like and LOVE people who are real…”
If this is true, I should be extremely likeable! Minute by minute I fall short of being my best self. Minute by minute I am provided with the opportunity to “just notice” my perfect/imperfect humanness. Minute by minute I am reminded:
We know that most if not all the harm in the world is directly or indirectly a result of we humans not accepting that our worth is contained in our imperfect perfect humanness. The paradox is our best self-arises out of the acceptance of this reality.
Just for today I will be more accountable by being more accepting of my humanness. Today I will notice when I conjure up expectations for others.
Written October 9,2022
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Perfect in our Imperfectness
In my memory bank it was the late Louise Hay from whom I first heard the phrase “We are perfect in our imperfectness.” Ms. Hay was one of the motivational speakers and authors who worked for/with those of us living with the AIDS epidemic. At a time when many were inaccurately calling AIDS the gay plague and religious leaders were asserting it was the punishment of the God of their understanding for sinful or even evil behavior, individuals such as Louise Hay, Elizabeth Kubler Ross, Ram Dass and members of the LGBT community echoed the positive message of those who clearly understood that:
- Disease is disease and not a reward or punishment.
- Imperfection is contained in the essence of our humanity.
- Loving is the highest of human acts.
True spiritual teachers remind us of humans that in accepting our vulnerability to physical and emotional disease we are our most creative and strongest.
Daily I attempt to articulate a spiritual goal. Today my spiritual goal is to be quiet and “listen” to:
- The pain and beauty beneath the words and actions of myself and others.
- The opportunity to learn from my “mistakes, shortcomings, and failures.
Many of my “mistakes, shortcomings and failures” have to do with the expectations I conjure up for other people, companies, and situations. I am well aware of how much “discomfort” my expectations cause myself and others. When people and situations do not intuit and meet my expectations, I can easily fall into the trap of blaming them and hurl insults directly or indirectly at the person or situation. As soon as I behave in a way which is inconsistent with the fact that it was my expectations and not their behavior which was the problem, I then begin to direct the insults at myself while profusely apologizing for my behavior. Sometimes I manage to simultaneously continue to blame the other and myself!!!
Angie Karan, the author, is quoted on “goodreads.com” as saying: “People who make mistakes are more like-able than those who appear perfect. We can’t connect with perfect…but we like and LOVE people who are real…”
If this is true, I should be extremely likeable! Minute by minute I fall short of being my best self. Minute by minute I am provided with the opportunity to “just notice” my perfect/imperfect humanness. Minute by minute I am reminded:
- If my emotional, physical, nutritional and spiritual gas tanks do not have any fuel I cannot be my best self.
- Accountability is necessary for change.
- Shame and beating up self will not result in positive change.
- The more accepting of my perfectly imperfect humanness I am the less I expect others to meet my expectations.
- Hurt people hurt people. Whether I or someone else is beating up on me the results are always negative.
We know that most if not all the harm in the world is directly or indirectly a result of we humans not accepting that our worth is contained in our imperfect perfect humanness. The paradox is our best self-arises out of the acceptance of this reality.
Just for today I will be more accountable by being more accepting of my humanness. Today I will notice when I conjure up expectations for others.
Written October 9,2022
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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