the quest for non-perfect continues~

 

I spoke to my gorgeous mum on the phone today when I was in line paying for groceries...I said, "Hey, whatcha doin?" and her reply was, "Nothin.  I've done nothing today in fact I'm eating my way through a tin of Quality Street.  I was thinking I may make the beds, then I decided not to." I was so inspired. I immediately dropped my bed-making plans.  Today, they shall go unmade! I thought. How liberating. I'd like to publicly thank my mum for taking the pressure off of that job. (My mum is mum, to my kids I'm mom, despite me trying to coach them to call me mum, they call me mom, so mom I am.  I love being mom, for the record.)

Coincidentally, I took a few days off of writing. That's fine. Really.  I know, there is only 30 days available to me if I want to finish on time.  But I am used to working under pressure.  In fact, I sometimes wonder if part of me thrills at the fact that I now have to double my 1667 daily word count every night this upcoming week.  I must be crazy.

Aside from that, today was a wonderful day spent with my children decorating for the holidays.  Yes, it's early. Keep in mind that I have a ten and five year old daughter at home and they can't keep a lid on their excitement, and why should they? They are children.  Their eyes gleamed as we hung sugarplums and tinsel.  I have to say, our home is that much warmer and that much more welcoming now. I will revel in this because I plan to be holiday ready by November 30.  Book written and presents bought and wrapped.  Thusly, December will be enjoyed; I must enjoy the holidays or else!  I refuse to stress.  Steadfastly refuse.  I am not fond of stress, and do not enjoy it's effects on me. So, that said, I'll frenzy like a koo-koo to make it all happen. 

Beds will go unmade. 

Shelves will remain undusted. (Notice I said remain.) 

Laundry may or may not pile up.  (Oh wait, that is the norm-it will for certain pile up.)

But if we are fed, bathed and have our rest what else matters?

Will the Earth shatter and crumble if my home is less than Domino? (Miss that mag so much~)

Will the Earth stop turning if for perhaps one night I throw a pizza in the oven for supper instead of the usual Martha routine I try to pull off?

The answer my friends is, no.  Unequivocally no. 

So while we are flush with all things jolly and bright-while we seek the comforts of love and happiness and say farewell to dusting and other such irritating jobs like ironing (don't get me started)-let us remember that we are not perfect.  We will make resolutions a mere few weeks from now promising to ourselves that we'll get perfect.  But then we won't and we'll end up twelve months from now right in this exact position-questing a quality journey bursting with friendship, laughter, spicy hot chocolate, Christmas trees, cards in the mail, jam on toast, cheeks on soft pillows, slamming the snooze button just one more time, annnnnnd assuming the asana of our dreams.  (Whatever that is for you.)

A good way to center yourself in your non-perfection is to practice yoga. I love yoga, and wanted to share this picture of such a precious moment for all of us last March near the Syrian border on a mountain top in Jordan. My favourite asana will eternally be The Warrior.  For Swirly up there it is a tree pose (not sure if that is her favourite, but that is the one I had a picture of.)  We will all have our favourite quiet poses, our favourite breaths, our favourite healing moments (did your heart crack open last time you meditated and did knowledge and light come flooding in? I hope you journalled it.)

Lately I've stopped.  I'm smelling the roses.  I'm aware of my surroundings. Each step I take is full of awareness.  I'm consciously choosing not to freak out.  Sounds funny, choosing to 'not freak out'.  But if history has taught me a few things, then the main one would be that all will be well.  No matter how bleak, how dreary, how awful things may appear; things are actually OK. As un-perfect as they are.

So let's all quit trying to be perfect.  Let's throw some tinsel around the room, light a tree up with fairy lights, give your full attention to the next real face you are speaking to, hug someone whether they seem to need it or not, sleep in, stop judging, wear as many colours as you can in one outfit, cut that hair right off and start fresh, forget baking and head to the bakery, put those feet up and take 30 minutes for YOU.

I could go on, but I wanted to watch this movie tonight. My quest for Un-Perfect began with an article Lisa shared recently.  Please read for yourself.

xoxo

 

Comments

[Steve]

Hmmm, you're new-found if temporary laisez-faire attitude to the home is a constant for me. Hey, maybe that's we don't have people over? Enjoy your December!

[Marilyn Miller]

Shelves dusted, rarely. Floors swept, as little as possible. Play in my office, often. Thanks for the encouragement.

[gillian]

you are right...its temporary
i'm simply reprioritizing and not sweating the small stuff

hey if i waited for my house to be clean i'd never see anyone!!! lol

[Gillian daSilva]

Atta girl :)
I just returned from Christmas shopping, I love beating the crowds! Monday night and you could have shot a cannon through the stores and not hit anyone, and no lines!!! So happy to be more than half done :)
And I'm finding everyone the Most Perfect gift too!
OH! its bliss

[Account Deleted]

hahahaha...
well
i WAS going to wash the windows
but
now
i am NOT

:-)

thanks ever~so, gillian--
and your mom--
for the gift of Free Time.

we should all
do nothing more often!

♥♥♥

[Swirly]

Cheers to perfect imperfection!

[Debi]

i wuz ahead of my time . . . always imperfect. Love this! xoxo