It seems like everywhere you turn someone is telling you to be passionate about something. Whatever their area of expertise they try to endorse perfection. For example, Dentists are passionate about your teeth. Their standard of excellence is brushing after every meal, flossing everyday, regular check ups etc. The horror stories are enough to scare you into doing that. Then you hear about how you need to go "green" ... people passionate about this share their ideals for how you should live. Then someone tells you how the key to a good life is going to the chiropracter two times a week. This is a must if you want to be healthy and happy. Things like this are definately good! Don't get me wrong ...
Then you watch a documentary on all the germs that can live in your house and in your bed and you become passionate about cleaning ... but it has to be green products and you have to have flossed before you do the cleaning.
Then you get a pamphlet about how important it is to read to your kids every night. Reading every night is a must ... then another pamphlet about how you need to work on certain speaking techniques everyday because it detrimental to your child's development. And another pamphlet about fundraising. You sense the passion in that because you want your kids to be well rounded.
Then you read somewhere that it's so important to take some time for yourself everyday. And the key to a successful marriage is date night every Friday. Oh and if you want to have daughters that date good men it's important to take them on dates too. But it's also so good for your health and children's self esteem to be involved in sports teams and clubs after school and on the weekends.
But don't forgot to get exercise every day ... and eat all the food groups ... especially the "superfood" of the month. And your food must be organic because do you know what they do to regular vegetables? Oh ... and stretch and warm down before and after those work outs.
Don't eat any fast food because you will implode if you do, make sure your car has regular check ups (that actually could implode so maybe you should take that one seriously), drink a glass of red wine every night because it's good for your heart. Be a good Christian. Always be thinking about others. Always be thinking about your children. Always have an antibacterially clean house. Always, hug and kiss your husband before he leaves for work. Always have a good attitude. Always have everything on hand. Always be prepared. Always have a perfect fitting pair of jeans and perfect bathingsuit for your bust size. Always be ready for the Queen to visit!
Anyone else feel like they are spinning? These things are all good, but reaching perfection everyday is not what life is about.
If one day everyone in the family didn't get their teeth flossed, no one made it to the chiropracter and you forgot to do your home reading, but you made healthy eating choices, took the kids for a walk and packed a litter free lunch you can count it a good day. Maybe the next day you'll prioritize something else.
Just breathe.
Do your best. Love people. Live in hope.
You've got a talent for writing, Lisa. And once again, a great point. You seem to be able to articulate what I'm sure many people are thinking and feeling, but maybe unable to communicate. Being a perfectionist growing up was certainly a struggle for me. Mostly because I really tried to live up to everyone else's ideals and expectations, including my own. I have learned over the years, that I will never be able to achieve those expectations. Most of them aren't feasible if one wants to be sane at the same time. Life isn't meant to be lived according to the world's checklists of what to do or not to do. My motto nowadays is "Do your best and forget the rest." And some days, I take a break from doing my best too. Thanks for the great read.
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