Dear Gatherers,
Many of us have spent our entire lives chasing perfection, being self critical, frustrated or defeatist when we haven't achieved it. We often live with a gnawing ache, doing everything to become better, smarter, thinner, nicer, more successful or even more enlightened, just to get closer to that gold ring of perfection. If we make a wrong choice in our career or relationship, we beat ourselves up. I am right there with you!
What if instead we could, as Elizabeth Gilbert suggests "embrace the glorious mess that (we) are"? Even just saying the phrase to yourself, "I embrace the glorious mess that (I) am" may give you a little relief. It feels so good!
We are all imperfect, even those people on Instagram who look perfect! Our flaws are part of who we are and we would be well-served to embrace them. The Japanese have a tradition called "kintsugi" (the art of precious scars) which is a process of repairing broken ceramics with gold, leaving a gold seam where the cracks are. By repairing broken objects, it is possible to give them new life, becoming even refined not in spite of, but because of the scars. Rather than hiding/disguising the fractures/flaws, they are celebrated. Each piece of pottery is presented with its own story and beauty thanks to the cracks. I was almost in tears reading about this wise and life-affirming practice. What if we treated our own flaws as integral to who we are? What if we knew that our cracks were not our destruction but merely part of our history? What if we could admire our own imperfections? As Alice Walker says, "Everything is already perfect. And If you can accept that everything is already perfect, the imperfection is part of the perfection so, what's to worry about?" Of course, it's easier said than done, but you can begin by recognizing when there is a negative thought about yourself, slowing down the breath, dropping your shoulders, breathing in "I am imperfect" and breathing out "which makes me perfect." Do this a few times and see if it helps. Imagine yourself as a gorgeous piece of pottery, proudly displaying scars with seams of gold for all to see. Take a close look and acknowledge that the scars really do give the piece its uniqueness, its character and even its charm. You are unique and even more beautiful because of your flaws!
In the iconic words of Leonard Cohen, Ring the bells That can still ring, Forget your perfect offering There is a crack In everything That is how the light gets in.
Let the light in, let us see beneath your beautiful, embrace the glorious mess that you are..
My Sunday Gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to gather, meditate and reflect. REGISTER HERE: https://www.thegathering-la.com/events-1/sunday-hour-of-calm-7 Remember that we are all in this together. Please forward this newsletter to someone you think could use a little nurturing.
With love and light,
Nora Plesent
Lawyer/Entrepreneur/Mom/Immersive Meditation Leader/Ripple Maker
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