Perfection is overrated...

I used to worry a lot about whether or not I was living up to everyone's expectations. It is such an easy trap to fall into and once you're in, it is hard to get out. For me it started back in high school when I constantly strived to get the approval of my friends, teachers, parents..basically everyone that I came in contact with. I always wanted that pat on the back or that encouraging word. I could have an entire week of successes but if one person didn't acknowledge that I had done something right or told me that I had done something wrong....the week was ruined.
There is a misconception in this world that one must be perfect. I see it all the time in the way parents maneuver their children in and out of the various activities. Every parent wants their child to be "the one" and many will go to great lengths to have that happen. How many of you out there have felt that pressure? The pressure to be good all the time, to be right all the time, to not make a mistake? How many of you have been fearful of a parent's reaction to a misstep, to a friend's view of your new thought process, to a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse's reaction to a desire for a new direction? How many times has that fear paralyzed you in to doing nothing? Rather than face the sound of criticism you opted for the safe route of just "playing along".
In my old age of 32 I am slowly coming to the realization that the idea of "playing along" doesn't work any more. I don't want to sit back and let other people decide what is right for me, I have no desire to let other people's ideas dictate where and what I do with my life. The biggest lesson I have learned? I AM NOT PERFECT. Not even close. People may want me to be perfect but all I can do is look at them, shrug my shoulders and say "sorry..not gonna happen". It is impossible to be perfect so why even try. I will work hard and strive for success in the eyes of God and no one else.

Perfection is overrated....don't try to do what you will never achieve.

Work hard, play hard and thank God for what you have each day....life is easy when you break it down to the essentials.