Perfection of the Imperfect

We recently attended a holiday performance of a dance group my son was part of.
There were a total of 20 10-year-olds on stage. They were pensive, shy and modest.  Having only rehearsed for a few weeks, all was new to them.

The insecurity was palpable as they looked at (looked for?) one another before, during and after they completed their routine.

There were arms and legs everywhere as these children pranced across the stage.  They giggled nervously when they dropped their props, but went right back to doing their thing. 

At one point, the routine required 2 groups of children, on opposite sides of the stage to skip and glide (bounce?) sideways, arms in the air, crossing one another.

I was just glad no one crashed into each other!

These brave children, bless them, did their best to mimic what their teacher was trying to teach.  But, I would not say they were ready to officially audition to be an opening act to any show.

Clearly, this was more of a family style get together “show” for the parents, than an audience-ready polished routine for Broadway.

Despite how it turned out, all the parents (and I mean every single one) were ultra proud of their children.

The performers received standing ovations and even whistles from the crowd. 

After leaving the performance, I reflected on my very different dance training experience when I was a child. I was trained rather stringently.  Performing, for me, was all about perfection.

Yet, as I am now older, and have had this very loving experience of watching this performance, I come full circle.  

I am seeing the perfection in the imperfect.

I have learned so much from watching the courage of these children.  This performance experience for my child, and others, was clearly not about getting everything exact. 

Among my lessons were: allowing, accepting and being present to what is.

Perfection is not about being perfect.

Sure, they were not at all what I would consider performance ready, but they went on anyway.  
They had fun, and enjoyed themselves even despite the imperfection of their routine.  They didn’t let insecurity stop them.  They embraced their fears and mistakes, nonetheless.
And the crowd absolutely loved it, and loved them, even more.  

How supported they must feel to have that kind of backing!

Despite their imperfection, the performance was perfect, just as it was.  

The moment was perfect as dotting parents watched their kid do their thing with heart, and joy, and big bright smiles.

Imperfection is perfect because it leads me from where I am now to where I am next.  Imperfection is the process of my becoming. 

The lesson here, I have come to realize, is that I need to learn from these magnificent kids and embrace my process of being also.  

There is perfection in everything we do in life because we are always in process. 

And rather than expecting my living to look a certain way, I shall live more presence, and thus, more life, into the experience of being alive.

Releasing my attachments to perfection, and letting go of judgement for how it “should” be or “should” look, I realize how we, human beings as works progress, often mistakenly label moments in our life, rather than being present and awake to the sacred process that is happening through us: life.

“We are in process of being.  We are being, regardless of what we may be doing in every moment.  In every moment of our lives, we are being human.”

— Rev. Evelyn Foreman

Our labels, for example:

• “Good days vs bad days”
• “We had a great time...”
• “It was a terrible experience...”

Each of these proclamations lead us to judge our experiences.  From there, we live out what we claim, and our subsequent experiences are clouded by good and bad.

No longer do we stay present to possibility, we’ve doomed ourselves to the decision we have already made about whether we will enjoy the experience, or not.

When we stop to really look at each moment in our lives, we will realize that whatever is at the moment, is perfect.

It is perfect because we are in process, progressing to evolve our beingness in every moment.

When we step back and get over ourselves (release our attachments, expectations and judgements) we can then learn to be with what is, seeing the perfection in every moment of life.  

In doing so, we allow ourselves the gift of possibility and become open to the positive unfolding of our sweet, sweet life.  

How (in what ways) do you see perfection in what might seem imperfect in your life? 

The World is Loud - Divine Wisdom is Soft

“Life is so much brighter when we focus what truly matters.”

— Rev. Douglas Duerr

Guest Post by Rev. Douglas Duerr

Sometimes we may need to step aside, move away from the noise and listen.

When we take a moment (or ten) to do this, we find a new strength to emit big love into the universe rather than absorbing the loud voices of separation.

Are you listening to your hearts call ... or quickly waiting to speak? 

It’s all about the questions within, filled with a sincerity of our heart and the ability to receive the answer.  It often comes in a gentle whisper.

Today's Affirmation: "The radiance of life reflects love when we pause to truly listen to who we are - Love."

***

What wisdom speaks softly to you thats is the ONE THING tugging at your heart?

Experience Life

“All of life sings; see me, dance with me, I’m here.”

— Rev. Douglas Duerr

Guest Post by Rev. Douglas Duerr

Embrace the Season!  A new season of beauty and wonder is exploding in expression through the symphony played out in her leaves - the crisp air dances to the autumn song as the trees begin to blush against the oh so charming blue sky.

***

What have you noticed in this season of change and how do you practice the courage to embrace it?  Please share as you are called. <3

Create Space

“In a world where we value collecting things (people, places, and objects), creating space can be a practice that is against the grain.  And yet, it serves us by freeing us of our attachments.”

— Rev. Evelyn Foreman, M. Div.

Space is defined as a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied. 

In your life right now, just as it is, how much space do you have?

Whether you are answering the question from a tangible standpoint ("I've got no space for another piece of furniture in my house") or from an intangible perspective ("I don't have space for another project in my life at the moment"), being mindful of how FULL your life has become is a point of practice.

In a world where we value collecting things (people, places, and objects), creating space can be a practice that is against the grain.  And yet, it serves us by freeing us of our attachments.

If we take a look at our personal computer and its optimal functioning, we may be able to gain a new perspective.  When the computer runs out of space, we automatically delete or move items out of storage so that the machine can perform optimally. 

What happens when we ignore the need to create space on our computers or mobile devices?

It slows down, freezes or simply ceases to work.

In a similar way, when we empty ourselves of burdens, toxins accumulated through life, releasing energies that have latched on to us that no longer serve us, we perform better.

When we release by purging and surrendering all that no longer serves us, we give up the seemingly good to for better.   This is the practice of creating space - to allow the dynamic flow of life to come, stay a while, and release when the visit is complete.

What might you be holding on to that needs to be let go?  What in your life, do you need to create space for?  How might you begin to loosen these attachments to ultimately be free?

Begin Each Day with a Grateful Heart

“For me, my day begins the moment of waking consciousness.”

— Rev. Evelyn Foreman, M. Div.

How do you begin each day?  Does your day begin after coffee?  Or do you count the moment you place your feet on the floor as the beginning of the day?

There are days when my eyes are still closed, and I lay in bed, feeling the warmth of my sheets. Still other days, I am awakened by the rustling of my children, whispering to each other at the foot of my bed. 

At the point of waking consciousness, I pray.  My prayers is always the same - everyday, regardless of who wakes me or how I wake.  Whether my eyes are opened or closed, my prayer is the same: thank you.

My gratitude extends from the life I am privileged to live, to the lives on my. path:  my loving family, my dear friends and even those who call me to my best and highest self.  

Everyday, I begin with two little words that comprise of my daily prayer: THANK YOU.

How about you, dear One?  How do you begin your day? <3