{"id":1094,"date":"2011-03-28T21:02:18","date_gmt":"2011-03-29T01:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/ourladyofweightloss\/?p=1094"},"modified":"2011-03-28T21:02:18","modified_gmt":"2011-03-29T01:02:18","slug":"motivational-monday-perfect-normal-you-seriously","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/ourladyofweightloss\/2011\/03\/motivational-monday-perfect-normal-you-seriously.html","title":{"rendered":"Motivational Monday – Perfect, Normal? You? Seriously?"},"content":{"rendered":"

So YOU wanna\u2019 be PERFECT and NORMAL??? Seriously. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Based on emails from Tushkateers<\/a>* as well as various coaching conversations that I\u2019ve had with a number of my (star \u2013 you are all stars)<\/em> one-on-one coaching clients \u2013 the concept of \u2018normal\u2019 and \u2018perfect\u2019 has repeatedly surfaced, so I thought today we might look at \u2018normal\u2019 and \u2018perfect.\u2019<\/p>\n

Yes, many have wished that they were \u2018normal\u2019 and are down, down, down on themselves for not being perfect.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m curious to know what you think being \u2018normal\u2019 (whatever that is) and \u2018perfect\u2019 (whatever that is) looks like and what being \u2018normal\u2019 and \u2018perfect\u2019 will do for you.\u00a0 If we were in a \u2018live workshop setting,\u2019 sitting around a cracklin\u2019 fire, I\u2019d ask you, and we would have a mighty fine conversation.\u00a0\u00a0 (Oh, I do love workshops!! (My next is in August at Omega Institute for Holistic Living, Rhinebeck, NY – Aug 5-7) <\/em><\/p>\n

But \u2013 we are not in an in-person setting \u2013 so, I\u2019m asking you to please take a moment to define what those words means to you (be specific) and then ask yourself, \u201cWhat does \u2018normal\u2019 look like to you and what would being \u2018normal\u2019 get you?\u201d \u2013and-\u00a0 \u201cWhat does \u2018perfect\u2019 look like and why oh why would you want to be perfect?\u201d<\/p>\n

In his book, “Living Wabi Sabi<\/a><\/strong>,” Taro Gold writes:\u00a0 \u201cThose who inspire us most do not achieve perfection through greatness: They achieve greatness through imperfection. All of the world’s best-loved truth-seekers and religious figures, including Jesus and Buddha, led obviously less-than-perfect lives and were the first to let us know that they, too, were not perfect people….\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Perfection is a fruitless endeavor<\/strong>, and it causes much (optional) suffering*.\u00a0 Actually, it causes optional suffering (the kind you inflict upon yourself when you really, really do not have to).<\/p>\n

Mistakes, failure and imperfection have created life changing explorations and \u2018happy accidents.\u2019 Did you now that mistakes (a form of imperfection; because if you were perfect you wouldn\u2019t make a mistake, would you?) have led to the discovery of DNA, penicillin, aspirin, X-rays, Teflon, Velcro, nylon, cornflakes, Coca-Cola, and chocolate-chip cookies?<\/p>\n

Can you imagine what it would be like if you woke up and everything went the way you wanted it to go? Exactly? I mean everything!\u00a0 From the moment you woke up till the end of the day \u2026 perfect.\u00a0 There would be no challenge.\u00a0 There would be no growth.<\/p>\n

Are you familiar with the movie \u201cPleasantville\u201d<\/em><\/strong> (video link)<\/a> starring Reese Witherspoon and Tobey McGuire (1998)?\u00a0 Robert McDaniel of Film and History described the town of Pleasantville as the perfect place, “It never rains, the highs and lows rest at 72 degrees, the fire department exists only to rescue treed cats, and the basketball team never misses the hoop.”<\/em> However, McDaniel says, “Pleasantville is a false hope. David’s journey tells him only that there is no “right” life, no model for how things are “supposed to be’.\u201d<\/p>\n

mentalCISE*:<\/em><\/strong> Consider the following definitions of the words \u2018normal\u2019 and \u2018perfect.\u2019<\/p>\n

The dictionary definition of \u2018normal\u2019<\/strong><\/em> is:
\nConforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.\u00a0 Approximately average in any psychological trait, as intelligence, personality, or emotional adjustment.<\/p>\n

The dictionary definition of \u2018perfect\u2019<\/em><\/strong> is:
\nConforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type.\u00a0 Exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose.\u00a0 Entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings.\u00a0 Accurate, exact or correct in every detail. Pure or unmixed.<\/p>\n

Today, observe your imperfections with an open eye and from a new perspective.<\/p>\n

List 3 things<\/strong><\/em> that are \u2018not normal\u2019<\/strong><\/em> and\/or \u2018imperfect\u2019<\/em><\/strong> about you that you wouldn\u2019t change for the world and what it is about that \u2018part\u2019 of you that is so appealing.<\/p>\n

FYI \u2013 this isn\u2019t as easy as it sounds.<\/p>\n

I embrace my imperfections \u2026<\/strong>
\n(Embrace:<\/em><\/strong> to take or receive gladly or eagerly; to embrace an idea.\u00a0 To take in with the eye or the mind.)<\/p>\n

1.
\n2.
\n3.<\/p>\n

My example:<\/strong> I embrace that I am \u2018less than neat.\u2019\u00a0 I toss papers around, make a mess, ink spills and happy accidents happen.\u00a0\u00a0 I embrace my happy accidents!\u00a0\u00a0 I notice and expand upon them!!! <\/strong> I am moving toward happy and away from the fridge!!!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

*Tushkateer<\/strong><\/em> – a member of the Kick in the Tush Club <\/a><\/strong>
\nwww.OurLadyofWeightLoss.com<\/a> … home of the Kick in the Tush Club<\/p>\n

*mentalCISE<\/strong> – an exercise for the brain (included in all 21 Day Cures, Janice\u2019s e-coaching programs)!\u00a0 Thinking is a very cool thing to do, isn’t it???<\/p>\n

Spread the word \u2026 NOT the icing,
\nJanice Taylor
\nwise * fun * utterly useful
\n\"\"<\/a>
\n____________________________________________
\nFor the best in wellness and weight loss wisdom, visit Janice:
\nOur Lady of Weight Loss<\/a>
\njoin the Kick in the Tush Club<\/em>
\nVirtual Shoulder<\/a>
\nFollow Janice Taylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com\/OurLady<\/a>
\nFacebook: www.facebook.com\/OurLadyofWeightLoss<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So YOU wanna\u2019 be PERFECT and NORMAL??? Seriously. Based on emails from Tushkateers* as well as various coaching conversations that I\u2019ve had with a number of my (star \u2013 you are all stars) one-on-one coaching clients \u2013 the concept of \u2018normal\u2019 and \u2018perfect\u2019 has repeatedly surfaced, so I thought today we might look at \u2018normal\u2019…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[213,3,2348],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mental-health","category-motivation","category-motivational-monday-2"],"yoast_head":"\nMotivational Monday - Perfect, Normal? You? Seriously? - Our Lady of Weight Loss<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/ourladyofweightloss\/2011\/03\/motivational-monday-perfect-normal-you-seriously.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Motivational Monday - Perfect, Normal? You? Seriously? - Our Lady of Weight Loss\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"So YOU wanna\u2019 be PERFECT and NORMAL??? Seriously. Based on emails from Tushkateers* as well as various coaching conversations that I\u2019ve had with a number of my (star \u2013 you are all stars) one-on-one coaching clients \u2013 the concept of \u2018normal\u2019 and \u2018perfect\u2019 has repeatedly surfaced, so I thought today we might look at \u2018normal\u2019…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/ourladyofweightloss\/2011\/03\/motivational-monday-perfect-normal-you-seriously.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Our Lady of Weight Loss\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2011-03-29T01:02:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/ourladyofweightloss\/files\/2011\/03\/Janice-Taylor_1031-199x300.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Janice Taylor, Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Motivational Monday - Perfect, Normal? 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