I had already spent over 20 minutes trying hard to lock the Christmas tree up straight into its socket.
Me in a fight with the tree.
The tree insisting to tilt on a side.
Me trying to make it stand straight up.
In search for the perfect vertical position.
My son (7) was jumping around in the meantime, eager to start decorating the tree. He held a red bauble in his little hand the entire time, waiting for the fun to start. Still, the fun had to wait as mom was on a mission to make the tree stand up straight!
His patience ran out and he cried:
It’s OK, it doesn’t have to be perfect, mommy!
The moment my son said: it’s OK – my mind flashed through:
- all the times I delayed delivering something because it was not perfect
- all the situations when I insisted on perfect quality (and drove others crazy!)
- the opportunities I missed due to wanting to know every single detail before making a decision
My son’s cry snapped me out of the endless battle and made me realize:
I made it my mission to lock the tree straight up.
All my son wanted was to start decorating it.
He wanted the joy of the experience.
I was after a job done to perfection.
My son was right.
Sometimes, you have to give up trying to make everything perfect. Good is good enough and done is better than perfect.
I straightened the tree for the last time, secured it in place and joined my son in the joy of decorating it.
We had so much fun!
The tree top is still tilted but who cares?
Perfection is sometimes difficult to let go of.
But when I do let go, I discover the joy of the experience and the fun of getting things done with ease.
Do you let perfection stand in your way?
Wishing you joyful festive days,
Carmen
P.S.: If this time of the year is not easy for you, I’m sending you a virtual hug! My gift for you is a guided meditation to help your mind relax and your anxiety ease (click here to download it).
P.P.S.: Still a bit tilted but who cares?
Does it have to be perfect? Enjoy the experience, live the moment.