Days of PURPOSEFUL Thankfulness – Day #105

Note: Refer to day number 1 (July 25, 2015 post) if you do not know what this is all about.

I thank God today for deliverance from the spirit of perfectionism…well except for when I need it for work. LOL! Seriously, growing up it was so chronic—I am sure my mother would agree. When I was the age that I could start picking out my own clothes, I got a shirt that read “Perfect in Every Way.” I remember it had glitter outlining the words. Indeed, it sparkled! For some reason unknown to me, I put that pressure on myself. If I baked something and it tasted good but its appearance did not turn out to my satisfaction, I wanted to throw it away. Now you know Willie…I mean my mother (ha ha!) was not having that! In addition, my siblings absolutely hated if I took something out the oven and I made them wait exactly all the minutes stated on the recipe (and maybe more) for it to cool. Well, now I could not have my cookies, or brownies, or cake tearing up ruining my presentation. However, there was one time my perfectionism got the attention of one of my brothers. He is the youngest of my four older brothers. I remember I was a crying, frustrated teenager on a particular day, running late for school because I could not get my hair to behave the way I wanted. I think my mom was out of town visiting my grandmother at the time. I was crying, so my brother felt so sympathetic towards me that he actually took time to comb my hair together. I tell you, I cannot remember exactly in what kind of style he put it. I do recall that it was not specifically to my “perfect standards” but it was something about him being a patient big brother taking time to comb my hair (his sister’s hair) that stopped me from crying. I was satisfied enough to leave the house, I know that! J

Yep, being a perfectionist takes a much greater toll on the person carrying the weight than those who only have to be on the receiving end. Nevertheless, as I have said once before, I thank God for the balance He has brought to me in this area. Sometimes I still have to catch myself. J  I realize that there is a place for it; it serves me well in the way that I accomplish my job and serve others with my skills. So, what has been your Achilles Heel for which you can also be thankful?