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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Your Rainbow's End
This morning I was flipping channels for a few minutes as my husband and I enjoyed our morning latte'. A very pretty woman was being interviewed by the infamous Dr. Oz. I didn't see the entire interview, but what I saw reminded me of myself a few years back and many other women in today's world. I don't know her entire story or what prompted her to share her heart feelings. But as we watched, she pulled her top up to reveal her flabby tummy. She spoke of how she longed to get rid of her excess. As Dr. sympathized with her, he spoke of how attractive she was. Her expression was filled with emotion as she listened to his compliments. It was as if she was surprised and wanted to say, "Really, you think I am pretty?" The physician reassured her that he could take care of her problem. It's what she said next that caught my attention. She said, "If I can fix this part of me, it will be like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow."
Those words took me back to a place in time in my life. How I wanted a different look! I saw all my flaws. I wanted straight hair, instead of constant curl. I wanted straighter teeth. I wanted a flatter tummy and tiny waist. I wanted perfection. In a world that makes "perfect" that which is not, it's easy to feel we don't measure up to the world's qualifications of an acceptable human being.
The roles of a woman can become utterly exhausting. So much is expected of us. But beyond that, it's what we expect of our self that becomes the weight that wears us out. I've learned that 'perfection' keeps moving. Once you arrive at your conquest point, there is another just ahead. This particular woman had an absolute beautiful smile. Her teeth were, indeed, perfect! I wondered if at one time it was her goal to have the perfect smile. Then she moved on to something else. Please don't misunderstand what I am saying. Looking our very best is important. In fact, I just spent mega bucks on dental work. But there should be a time when we say, "This is me, and I like me!" We have to give ourself permission to stop, breath, and live without the pressures of seeking perfection.
Whether you are a follower of Christ or not, consider the words in the Bible that say, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14). It's a fact that you are one of a kind. Is it not an awesome thought to know there is not a single other person like you in all the millions of people that walk the earth, or that have ever walked the earth since the beginning of time? And because we are, at this moment, breathing, we are here on purpose, for a reason. Because we have been given life, we are obligated to do all we can to be the best we can be. Our physical features were given to us without our input. We have to accept what we have and take care of our bodies physically, mentally and spiritually, keeping up to date on issues that would help us be our best. But our mind and our heart are the important part of us. Disciplines of the heart matter.
I did a search on the web and came up with a book I believe is very good, so I ordered it this morning for reference and reinforcement. Check it out for yourself. The name of it is The Relief of Imperfection by Joann Webb. It is spiritually based, and the reviews written on line are all thumbs up. (By the way, the best place I have found to order books on line is cheapestbookprice.com . This site compares prices on Amazon.com, Half.com and others to give you the best price. Good place to save money!)
Let us think seriously about what life is really about. Let's don't waste precious time wishing we were different. Let's work with what we have to the best of our ability! If the pot of gold at the end of our rainbow is perfection, it will never be ours. Let's live deeper. Let's strive for excellence instead.
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"At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. ... We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices."
Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol)
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