I am a recovering perfectionists. It is a bold statement, but a very true and freeing statement to make. With this realization I decided to adopt the idea that practice doesn’t make life perfect, but it makes life better! Practice makes the skills I am developing better. Practice makes the patience I am developing along the way stronger. Practice also increases my confidence and my perspective toward the challenges I have yet to face. I say all this because I am discovering there are multiple areas of my life that I need more practice in , and that’s ok!
Areas such as blogging for starters. I am not a great blogger. I don’t have a consistent writing style or a consistent day and time I post my blogs. I am knocking down the expectations of perfection I have put on myself to post only my best, most edited thoughts and instead use this blog as an opportunity to be real, to express week to week challenges and use it as a tool to practice my writing. Discovering my voice will come with practice.
Another area of my life that I am happily practicing is my willingness to look foolish. This goes along with knocking down my expectations of perfection as well. It’s difficult for me to be silly, embracing spontaneous dance parties or even telling a joke to a stranger. The ability to be goofy, spontaneous and laughable is an art, one I hope to become skilled at. I love to laugh, and the truth is, if I can’t laugh at myself, who do I have the right to laugh at?
A third and extremely important area of my life I am practicing [with baby steps] is asking for help. I am not good at asking for help, such as asking for my roommate to grab something at the grocery store while she’s there, asking for a friend to help change the oil in my car, or asking a trusted individual to support God’s ministry in my life financially. But God is teaching me that He never created us to journey life alone and by asking for help I am becoming more involved in Christ’s body. It takes a lot less effort to work as a unit than it does to function alone.
What do you think: Are there any areas of your life you desire more practice in?
If so, how can the Body of Christ help you practice?
