We have all heard of the much in use phrase, “Nobody’s perfect”. But the world around us seems to be full of people who define our idea of ‘perfection’.There are some people we look at,and we wonder “How easy it must be for this guy!”,or “How does she manage to be so virtuous giving or so charitable!” or even “What a stunner,bulit to perfection!”.Our ideas of perfection are subjective,of course. But what I really wonder is,do we really need it? Is there something wrong in being less than moral? And being uprfront about it rather than covering up our own fallacies behind a facade of seemingly unbreakable perfection? Is there something wrong in being an average-looker? Why do people strive all their lives to attain that certain level of perfection they have set for themselves?And finally,who decides?
Ever since we were children,we have been exposed to this kind of idea.Be it through movies,where some of us have idolised the buffed,sparkling ‘heroes’ (And of course,we all wanted to be one! The word hero itself has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? It gives a sense of superiority,a sense of being above the others in a way),we have swooned over the gorgeous heroines,with perfectly manicured nails even when they’re really supposed to be slumming it out in the movie.We have listened to dinner table conversations our parents had about our neighbours perfect MIT-graduate son,who has a perfect job with a ten figure salary,is always impeccably dressed(And while they all said this,some of us,who were below eighteen years old got that sort of dreamy,glazed look from the parents,the secret longing and perfect dream they have for us! While those unfortunate above eighteen year olds who’ve already screwed up with those dreams got the disdainful you’re-good-for-nothing looks.).We have all been told of the virtues of Mother Teresa,and some of us had Value Education in school.We have read about Gandhi.We swallow whatever they dole out on E-news,the beautiful people! People magazine has a 100-most-beautiful-people list! And even a 100-most-powerful list floats around(but more on that in later posts).So naturally,since the very beginning,we have fostered these ideas of “How things should be”.We’ve formed our own standards,and also formed a mechanism of judging people.Yes,we judge.We have a nice little courtroom in a teensy corner of our minds,and we pass our judgement on people.Sometimes we gloat when we see others err,and we’re very quick to pass our judgement there too.Some people pass the test.They’re perfect.
But while we have formed this philosophy, there is really much thought that needs to be given to this.I think we all know that in the end we are only human and it is impossible to have everything in place.It is near-impossible to be virtuous all the time.Sometimes,we like to convince ourselves that we really are good inside-out and while I acknowledge that it is a good feeling to know that we’re on the right track,but i feel there is no strict distinction between black or white.You can’t always tell what’s good and what’s bad,and moreover you can’t always be good.There are times when we’re a little self centred,but it’s quite alright.There have been times,when I’ve made errors of judgement.I haven’t been a perfect person.But It’s okay.Today,it gives me a sense of satisfaction when I can look back and acknowledge the mistakes I’ve made,and I feel we all should do the same.It is tiring to try and be perfect.To try and attain that standard we’ve all set in out heads with a single-minded determination,it wears you out.Accept who you are,embrace it.Accept others the way they are,their virtues,their vices...their flaws.I may be one who thinks this way,but there is beauty in flaws too.
We look up to our heroes,but they have their achilles heel too.But that makes them more real.For instance,in the third installment of Spider man,what i loved most was that Peter Parker swayed.He gave in to his weakness albeit recovering in time.He didn’t try hard to be righteous.He was a real person,someone I could identify with.I think we all face certain points in our lives where we have a choice to make.But the choices we make do not reflect how we are as a person.Suffice to say,its easier to deal with being who you are than try to achieve that spick and span,clean,cut to perfection image.
This is me,proudly imperfect,signing off.
=)
