The surfer looks for the perfect wave. The pitcher longs to pitch the perfect game. Mary Poppins was “practically perfect in every way.” Perfection is an odd concept to me. If it exists in life, it must be a standard created by imperfect humans.
I believe I am better off focusing not on achieving perfection, but on being good.
It was my granddad’s favorite admonition for me. After a visit, he would always say, “Be good.” I like that.
I want to do the right thing and also succeed in what I am doing. I don’t need to focus on being better than someone else or to compete with others who are also trying to be good.
In Leonard Cohen’s song “Anthem,” he says “there is a crack in everything.” Now this is a profound statement. I get concerned about the pressure to wear a mask of perfection suited to whatever I am doing. It probably has something to do with the fact that I’m not very good at even pretending perfection.
I’m imperfect and that’s just the way it is. So are you.
Cohen’s song goes on to say “that’s how the light gets in.” Wow. To me, this line takes the song from profound to prophetic. Yes, there is a crack in every aspect of my life. I am ‘practically imperfect in every way!’ But it is okay because that is how the light gets in. That is how I learn and improve. It helps me realize my humanity and keeps me humble.
In a world where people realize how ‘practically imperfect’ everyone is, there is more collaboration and compromise, more teaching and learning, more peace and goodwill.
Pursuing Peace 