How often have you thought to yourself “I want it to be
absolutely perfect”? How often have you caught yourself
hoping/wishing/dreaming/thinking about the ‘perfect’ life? And how often do you
strive hard to chase a perfect outcome, though the journey seems anything but
perfect? Growing up, I always thought perfection is absolutely doable.
What is
so difficult about being perfect or rather what is so impossible about it? You
decide, you plan, you execute and there it is perfection at its best. Only if
life was so simple. Because as maturity takes over childlike immaturity and
reality takes over dreamy illusions, you are greeted by the bitter truth of
impossible perfection. Rather I will like to put it this way – ‘Perfection is
overrated’. May be what we need is pleasure not perfection, what we need is
enjoyment and satisfaction. By saying so, I am not against perfect things in
life. Neither am I against the need to improve ourselves and be perfect in
everything we do. But I feel unnecessary stress over perfection can take away
the joy of doing things.
Pondering over this
brought me to the thought in title. Can I link mirage and perfection in the
same sentence because that is how it truly feels? Or is it possible to achieve perfection
like we reach the end point in a race? Can we be completely sure of reaching
perfection or does something always seem amiss? It is not possible to define
perfection in a clear manner. It is subjective to individualistic perception.
In fact it is not even necessary to equate perfection for every single person
and set a universal benchmark. To each his own is the rather suitable thought
when it comes to it. The harm is not in investing efforts to get something as
desired. The harm is when we extract all the fun from a task under the pretense
of gaining perfection. Being perfect is not the ultimate measure of success.
Ability to enjoy the process, find purpose in our efforts and follow passion
with all our heart is the underlying theme here.
Many a times, the
need to be perfect blinds us in the journey. We are unable to take one step at
a time and savor the process with an open approach. All our energy is drained
to reach some non-existent milestone that takes away the fun while at it. It
works as a joy-killer because it is difficult to embrace the present. Tuned to
achieve perfection, we fail to appreciate the joy - right here, right now. Make
perfection a target if the desire is to accomplish your tasks. Make it a
priority in order to fulfill your responsibilities. But do not treat perfection
as a measurement of your success. Because no matter how hard you try something
somewhere will seem short. Though you may put in every possible drop of input
from your end, somethings may change in an unexpected manner. It is not for
nothing that we bring circumstances to the picture. Because situations can
change at the most unexpected moments, it is essential to factor them too. No
wonder there is lot of weight-age to the saying ‘Hope for the best, but prepare
for the worst’. With all this significance to circumstances, it is only
essential to change our perception towards perfection. As long as we consider
it as a guiding light towards the final deadline, we are good to go. But
unfortunately, if we turn obsessive to be perfect come what may, the experience
is not so memorable to say the least.
You may not be
perfect at everything. Or you may not be perfect at all. Nothing to worry as
long as you work hard and follow your dreams with a positive outlook. There is
always room for criticism. Even if you believe to be perfect, there are people
who may not consider it so. There can be judgments and critical analysis to
your rather perfect work. Because there are no tests to measure perfection or
no certification methods to judge perfection in any form, it wouldn’t be
incorrect to compare it to a mirage. You believe to touch it down the line, but
fail to do so in reality. Don’t aspire to be perfect, rather aspire to be
better version of yourselves every passing day.
We may not realize it but often
the madness to reach the so-called perfection may turn us insensitive towards
others. In the rat race to do everything perfectly, we may hurt our loved ones
in the process. There can be hidden instances of jealousy, hatred or anger
under the pretext of demanding perfection. As long as we take charge and
understand the consequences, there is nothing to worry about. It is only when
things take an ugly turn towards compulsive perfection, the end results can be
disappointing. At the end, it is important to clear out our goals. Is it
happiness we seek for our happy minds or the unrealistic target of perfection
for our pompous ego?
All these thoughts
prompt me to link perfection to mirage. What is important is to enjoy what our
heart says. Follow dreams because they leave a long-lasting experience of
happiness. Perfect or imperfect does not matter, what matters is you stayed
true to your efforts with a positive attitude.
While I leave you with these words, I will like to hear your
stand too.
Unrealistic like a mirage or absolutely real like painted
signs on the road- what is your take on perfection?
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