Guest Post: Why the World’s Standard of Perfection isn’t Worth It
Our society is FULL of voices that say we’re not enough – not pretty enough, not busy enough, not eating enough of the “right” foods, not rich enough, not “successful” enough, not happy enough. You and I both know this nasty list could go on and on.
For most of the first 20 years of my life, I battled with that concept of “being enough.” And in my early adult years, I realized I was fed up with always striving for “perfect.” I decided that, instead, I needed to focus on just becoming a better me – to just keep growing, to keep striving, to keep reaching goals and then setting new ones. I needed to start appreciating my life, my health, and my big and small accomplishments.
It’s around this time that I started blogging and, appropriately, I named my blog “It’s Progression Not Perfection” to serve as a constant reminder of my new plan. Over the past several years, I’ve seen this motto spill over into nearly every area of my life.
First and foremost, it’s at the heart of my Christian beliefs. I’m human and imperfect. Simple as that. And for that reason, I need a Savior. My faith in Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father is the core of this belief that while I can’t ever earn my salvation (I don’t need to – the gift has been given to me!), God is continually working on me – as I seek Him, He works in me.
As a Health Coach, this principle of “progression not perfection” is something I apply to not only my own application of healthy living, but my clients’ as well. It’s about balance and intention, not doing everything perfectly 100% of the time. Healthy Eating? This is where many people feel it’s all-or-nothing. But in reality, it’s not about what you eat some of the time, it’s about what you eat most of the time that matters. Gaining a whole food nutrition education is an important part of the process, and then you just make better and better choices as you go along.
You learn why you value whole foods, don’t stress over “perfecting” your diet, and enjoy occasional treats as seems fitting for you. It’s all a learning process.Applying the motto to exercise? Of course! It’s not a punishment, it’s a privilege. Exercise has both physical and mental health benefits. Find the kind of exercise that works best for you – it’s something active that you enjoy!
Relationships? They’ll have ups and downs. They’re meant to deepen and extend, love and serve. There’s never a perfect human relationship, and there’s always room to grow, but we’re made for fellowship.But really there is no “end goal” when it comes to healthy living – there are surely goals along the way, but we’re always changing and the world around us is always changing, so as overused as the phrase may be, it really is a journey.
As I grew in my faith and started to truly understand that I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” (as are you!), I found healthy living not only easier and more enjoyable, but it’s value was put into perspective for me. Having a healthier body isn’t an end goal, it’s my vessel to do the work God desires for me – I’m more able to serve others! To be his hands and feet.
