Perfection is annihilation
It paralyzes us from working from the heart.
Humans by nature are not perfect and imperfections
are what make the world beautiful.
The Tao of Dan
OR – does it?
John Bowers argues that being ‘just good enough’ can have catastrophic consequences.
He makes a strong case for always striving to reach 100%.
Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.
Lao Tzu
Iskra Lawrence, however, puts forward the argument that the pressure of social media
to seek perfection creates not only unrealistic pressure, particularly on the young,
it can have devastating consequences. She urges people to
‘give up the pursuit of perfection, because the real beauty ideal is the imperfect you.’
One of the basic rules of the universe is that nothing is perfect.
Perfection simply doesn’t exist…
without imperfection neither you nor I would exist.
Stephen Hawking
I found this short film disturbing. See what you think.
Strive for progress, not perfection
Unknown
After all that, you might need a bit of calming down!
Posted in response to Lady Calen’s Sandbox Challenge 8
© Raili Tanska
soulgifts - Telling Tales 
Thanks for the beautiful share, Raili and what amazing and powerful quotes of motivation. Too good.
Kamal, you are very kind, thank you 🙂
Welcome Raili
Even damnation is poisoned by rainbows – L. Cohen
Lol 🙂
Quite thought provoking!
I thought I had a reasonable handle on it until I started to research some more for this post. Not so straightforward after all!
Perfection is a topic not easily covered.
No, I feel I have only dipped my toe into what seems to be a very deep pool!
All of us who truly ponder perfection feel that way, I bet. 😉
that short film…wow….a strive for such perfection leaves no room for living :(((
I know – I felt so sad for the little mite 😦
Powerful quotes and thought-provoking post. I like the thought of striving for progress, not perfection. Perfectionism is too much work.
Perfection is ever unreachable, I think, Khaya. Nice to see you again 🙂
Excellent. Couldn’t agree more. Along the same lines I had been thinking.
Oh good!
Really well done, Raili. Oddly while different, the speakers all seem to make sense.
I know, that’s what makes you stop and think! Depends on the perspective and the consequences of actions.
VERY good posts! I appreciate the balance of perspectives! Light and Love, SHONA
Thank you so much, Shona
I was surprised to see a familiar face in that Perfection video. Ming-Na Wen is one of the actresses on Agents of Shield. I love her. Personally I didn’t find that video disturbing. I found it empowering. The one afterward… THAT one I found disturbing because it was relying on what would appear to be nearly perfect patterns to calm you down. Is there a subliminal message there?
Interesting! What did you find empowering about it? When I watched it, I saw an overpowering mother demanding perfection from a child who just wanted to play and have fun. I get that encouraging kids to strive for standards is good – but…. As for the patterns – I don’t know about subliminal messages. It does not say there are any there. I do find the symmetry of patterns somehow soothing. After all, that’s what patterns are, aren’t they ? Fascinating the different perspectives we have on the same thing.
I found it empowering because it ended with her finding herself — when she stopped thinking, closed her eyes and started breathing. You could tell the next step was to take her power back. I think we all have to go through that at some time or other or our spirits/souls wilt and we end up with a lot of regrets at the end of our lives. I agree that patterns are calming. But I wonder if that’s why we’re so easily manipulated. It’s like the book Fahrenheit 451. Give them a pill to numb them out and they’re manageable. That’s what politics is all about imo. I quite loved this post!
Thanks 🙂 Oh, I must have missed that bit at the end of the video, I was so caught up in feeling sorry for the kid. It certainly gave me, and many others, a lot for food for thought !
What a great post! In that second video, Iskra Lawrence was speaking about society’s idea of perfection, which is a shallow thing. I think we should all strive for excellence, while understanding we each have our own strengths and weaknesses.
Near the end of the calming photo’s video – the leaning shelf, holding bottles of different coloured liquids – that was magical…
Thanks Jane 🙂 I agree with you about striving for excellence rather than perfection. It was interesting to put this one together – very thought provoking.
It was interesting to read, too 🙂
Social media stokes the illusion of perfection, whilst mortal, due to the ubiquity of criticism that pervades it. Everyone who posts is “at risk” of criticism, because 7.6 billion people can’t possibly see everything with the same lens. The fear of criticism prompts many to pursue perfection, at all costs, when communicating with the world at large. This is when perfectionism becomes debilitating.
You’re right. It is our uniqueness that also makes the world such an interesting place!
Love the Ann Landers quote. That is what makes a long marriage work.
🙂