Listen to this Post-
My 19-year old son played the organ and sang at 4 masses at church on Saturday and Sunday filling-in for the usual music ministers who both happened to be on vacation at the same time. When I asked him how he did after the first service on Saturday afternoon, he said that he “wasn’t perfect”. I shared with him a lesson that I learned and implemented a while ago that has allowed me to persist and improve on a daily basis: “We’re striving for excellence, James–NOT perfection.”
If I waited for “perfection” before I ever wrote, spoke or acted, I’d never do anything. It would be a constant state of paralysis!
This philosophy allows us to live and act on a daily (minute-by minute) basis knowing that we don’t have to be perfect.
I’m now singing the song from Human League :
“I’m only human
Of flesh and blood I’m made
Human
Born to make mistakes”
Physical perfection is something that many people I know (self-included) strive for and rarely if ever achieve. Val Willingham’s article on CNN.com today “Elusive search for cellulite cure continues” illustrates the point quite well. Val chronicles a woman who is in her mid-40’s who eats well and exercises but, still has a problem with cellulite.
Because cellulite can be genetic, it can still develop “whether they’re thin or heavy, a gym rat or a couch potato, cellulite is one of those things most women face,” says Dr. Howard Brooks who is quoted throughout the article.
What does Dr. Brooks recommend in order to curb cellulite?
- Quit smoking -smoking damages connective tissue
- Watch your weight. Fat is fat
- Invest in a treadmill and exercise
- Eat smart. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle decreases the appearance of cellulite
One of my favorite pieces about the article was Dr. Howard’s candor referring to two FDA-approved laser treatments and massage: “But unfortunately, this isn’t permanent, and you need a lot of treatments. There is no miracle.”
Another concept that allows me to smile at myself and others who are working very hard towards physical health with diet and exercise is the quote from the Bible that says that we were “created in the image and likeness of God.” Because God doesn’t have a physical body and is neither male or female, it reminds me to focus on what image and likeness of God really means -to live in loving relationships with others, to use my “will” to choose freely the best possible good in every situation and to use my intellect to think in spiritual ways.
If I do these things consistently, my less-than-perfect body somehow doesn’t seem to matter as much!
Our bodies are the temples in which our “image and likeness of God” reside. We should choose to do our best to implement each of Dr. Brooks’ recommendations above: stop smoking, maintain the ideal weight for us, exercise consistently and regularly and eat smart.
I do each of the above and still manage to have scrawny, non-muscular legs, little love handles around my waist and maintain too much fat around my chest. I’m still striving for excellence instead of perfection in every area of life – including physical health.
I was on the altar with my son at the 9AM mass on Sunday morning and had to hide my tears of happiness as I listened to him sing and play. He was EXCELLENT!
