When K was about 2 years old, we took him to see Toy Story at the movie theater. Afterward, we visited Burger King where they were featuring the Toy Story kids’ meal toys. While we were waiting to order, K kept asking, “Do you tink dey have the spider baby toy?” (Referring to one of the creepy toys built by the mean kid in the movie). Wondering what was behind his odd request, I shot T a puzzled look. “I think he was frightened by it and he’s just trying to make friends with the idea,” T explained.I realize I do the same thing: try to face something head-on that is intimidating to me. This is part of the explanation behind the name of this blog. The original idea for “Past Perfect Designs” came from my Mom. A few years ago, I was looking for a name for my own freelance writing/marketing/PR business. It seemed a good fit—given it refers to a verb tense, and given my love for all things retro. But that word perfect was bothering me.
Shortly before I started my blog—I realized that the concept of perfection had become quite intimidating to me. In fact, at one point, I detested it. It seemed like no matter how much I tried, perfection remained elusive. I realized that I can invest every ounce of my energy into trying to get something really right—and it won’t be good enough … not for me, not for the person I find myself trying to please, not for anyone. I can work harder, longer, smarter … but it’s still not perfect. I can try to be supermom, work a professional job, volunteer at school and church, and be my best—but someone is still unhappy. (It’s usually me.) I knew in my heart that God is the only being that is perfect—but didn’t everyone else know this?? Why are people so unforgiving of others?
Then I came across a little book by Anna Quindlen called Being Perfect. It is filled with wisdom that changed how I see things. It describes how seeking perfection forces us to follow the “rules” that society has defined; to act/be/look/do/think certain ways to be accepted as “perfect” or “smart.” In essence, it imprisons us in imitation. My favorite line from the book is this:
“…nothing important, or meaningful, or beautiful, or interesting, or great, ever came out of imitations. What is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.”
