by Brandon Rosenburg

Created on: October 31, 2008

You will never be perfect. Nobody will ever be perfect. Perfection is nothing more than an impossible goal. No matter how hard you try there will always be someone to point out a flaw you failed to defeat, or a trait you would rather be without. However, do not let this stop you in your pursuit of perfection. There is nothing wrong with waking up each day and trying to do the best you can, trying to be the best you can be. It is not these flaws and imperfections that define who we are as human beings. What shapes us into the people we are, into the people we are going to be, is dealing with these problems, finding ways to overcome what is holding you back.

Stretching for that unreachable goal will no doubt be viewed by many as a complete waste. We are always told to look at the big picture, the end result. The end result of trying to be perfect will always be failure, which is discouraging. So sometime it actually is better to look at the smaller picture, seeing your goal of perfection as simply the sum of its parts. The goal is in fact many much smaller goals, all combined. Perfection can only be worked toward by dealing with one flaw at a time. The path to perfection is a never ending staircase, each step is a flaw that has been conquered, a trait that has been improved. We may spend our entire lives climbing these steps, one at a time, and yet we will never reach the top. This is why people attempt to get over the fact that they are not perfect, fear of a guaranteed failure.

Imagine two men, standing at the bottom of this staircase that stretches on into infinite. The first man, realizing that he will never reach the top, is comfortable to sit on the first stair, never taking a single step. The second man sees a flaw in himself, something he would rather be without. He sets out on a journey to eliminate his imperfection. He climbs onto the first step. His chances of reaching the top of the staircase is still the same as the first man, but think of what he has gained. The first man is stuck at the bottom, complaining about all the things that are wrong with him, wishing he was perfect. The second man continues climbing, he does not complain about his flaws, he simply sets his sights on the next step. The two men may both be just as far from perfect, but it is undoubted that the second man will have more confidence, he will believe in himself no matter what he does. After all, it is just another step.

The key to enjoying life is not getting over the fact that you are not perfect, but embracing it. Climbing the never ending staircase not to reach the end, but to see just how far you can get. Each stair is another victory, and the best part is that once a flaw has been conquered so has the step, you will never have to worry about falling. Give it a shot, pick a flaw you would rather be without, perhaps a trait you would rather not have. Work towards improving it. Take the first step.

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