― Sarah Kay
I keep trying to get it right -- this thing called life.
I tried to be the perfect daughter -- doing what my parents told me to do. Being interested in their interests to try and gain their respect and admiration. Living the life they wanted me to live.
I tried to be the perfect wife -- agreeing with my husband. Taking his advice. Compromising as much as was humanly possible. Being the wife (I thought) he wanted me to be.
I tried to be the perfect mother -- reading all the books. Watching all the other moms and trying to emulate them. Hair bows and ball games. Dance class and music lessons. Being the mom I thought I was supposed to be even though it felt so fake.
I kept trying to kiss the shoreline of perfection, but I kept getting sent away.
And then I realized the flaw in my strivings. I can't be perfect. I can only be who I am. I was never meant to be perfect, just like the ocean was never meant to stay on the shoreline. There is an ebb and flow to all things in life. Give and take. Life isn't stagnant. It's a process that requires adjustments -- meeting and parting, gaining and losing, learning and unlearning.
Lately I've taken on a new approach. I do the best I can at any given moment with the information I have at that time. And I'm giving myself a lot of grace.
So kissing the shoreline of perfection as I'm pulled away doesn't feeling like failing anymore. It feels like living.
linking up with Write on Edge
I tried to be the perfect daughter -- doing what my parents told me to do. Being interested in their interests to try and gain their respect and admiration. Living the life they wanted me to live.
I tried to be the perfect wife -- agreeing with my husband. Taking his advice. Compromising as much as was humanly possible. Being the wife (I thought) he wanted me to be.
I tried to be the perfect mother -- reading all the books. Watching all the other moms and trying to emulate them. Hair bows and ball games. Dance class and music lessons. Being the mom I thought I was supposed to be even though it felt so fake.
I kept trying to kiss the shoreline of perfection, but I kept getting sent away.
And then I realized the flaw in my strivings. I can't be perfect. I can only be who I am. I was never meant to be perfect, just like the ocean was never meant to stay on the shoreline. There is an ebb and flow to all things in life. Give and take. Life isn't stagnant. It's a process that requires adjustments -- meeting and parting, gaining and losing, learning and unlearning.
Lately I've taken on a new approach. I do the best I can at any given moment with the information I have at that time. And I'm giving myself a lot of grace.
So kissing the shoreline of perfection as I'm pulled away doesn't feeling like failing anymore. It feels like living.
linking up with Write on Edge
This is awesome.....it feels like living.....it sounds like grace!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved these word, "And I'm giving myself a lot of grace." Everyone should do this. Being perfect is never a place of contentment because you're always trying to be something for someone else. I'm glad this story is about stepping back from being perfect. Well done:~)
ReplyDeleteThat is a really inspiring, wholesome piece of writing. Thank you for sharing. Lyssa M x
ReplyDeleteI think we can all take that message away. We need to give ourselves and one another a lot more grace!
ReplyDelete