You’ve heard it said so many times before. Judge not for you will, yourself, be judged too.
Don’t you sometimes hate it when someone points out your flaws or the most undesirable aspects in your persona? If it’s coming from someone whom you have trusted and loved all through your life, you’d certainly become affronted and insulted.
You might even feel let down, hurt, and unloved. And then you tend to react with vengeance, promising yourself that said person will never see the light of another day without retracting his/her opinion of you.
But once you calm down and have the time to reflect on it, you know that it is always beneficial to recognize where you are most vulnerable, and therefore, exposed to a variety of failings. After that, you can make changes, correct your attitude or mistakes, and strive to become a better version of yourself. Just remember that from the ashes rises the Phoenix, so then could you, if you simply keep your heart and mind open to all the bashing and fault finding, no matter how painful it might be to you at the moment. Just think of it as constructive criticism. It’s criticism to build you up, not to tear you down.
Personally, I am not afraid of being criticized, especially if I know that I will benefit greatly from it and become stronger and steadfast in my character and way of thinking. I suppose most of the time, criticisms cut so deeply into your ego that you can barely listen to reason. But criticisms, especially if laced with genuine concern, can be tremendously helpful.
Just consider this. Some issues ago, my attention was called to my propensity for asking questions in my articles. Well, it bothered me so I checked. And I found that indeed, it was the truth. So I tried to explain why – and I think I was able to substantially clarify the same – of the importance and significance of having questions in my writings.
Nonetheless, I now try to minimize, if not altogether avoid, asking questions from my readers. Not hard at all.
Then the fact that I am extremely finicky, when it comes to order and cleanliness in my home. So many times in my mind, I have dreamt of having a picture-perfect home, ready for showing off to friends and family dropping by. Lacking the resources to make that happen, I try to design my living spaces so it would still be stylishly pleasant and presentable. My furniture should be put just so, my vases, picture frames, and other decorations have to be strategically placed in certain Feng Shui-approved harmonic order. No one is allowed to change how my furniture is arranged. And Diding, my ever-loyal housemate, would be cleaning and polishing the floors, making sure everything in sight is spotlessly clean. So while my home may not be perfect, I try to make the most of what I have.
While others would smother their dirty wash while doing the laundry with fragrance enhancing beads, or soften it with luxe fabric conditioners, I prefer my laundry with just plain detergent. Or if hand washing, to use Perla Puti. Why? I’m allergic to certain chemicals or other stuff that are added to the soap. And as long as possible, I want my laundry hanged for the sun and air to dry it. Some would say I do not conform to the norm. But that’s me, simply being imperfect me.
I have no issue with anyone wanting to have perfection in their lives: a perfect family, a perfect home, a perfect neighborhood, a perfect job, and a perfect everything else! But ask me and I will tell you that I would rather be an imperfect me. If I wear flowers in my hair or dress differently from you, does that make me imperfect? Perhaps, yes to some and no from others but surely, that makes me unique and interesting. I can be crazy, have a lively and never boring life and just be me. I’m different and I don’t care if people will turn up their noses at me or talk behind my back. Hey, that’s me, whether they like it or not!
Every one of us has their own peculiar eccentricities. Instead of stressing on being perfect, shouldn’t we all come to terms with reality and accept the fact that there are always limitations and that no life will ever be perfect? We would be happier (and healthier) if we tolerate each other’s shortcomings. It is okay to embrace our imperfect selves.
Life is meant to be enjoyed and we should be thankful that we are still alive at this point. Pope Francis stated it best when he said: “Respect yourself, respect others. Follow your path and leave what path others have chosen. Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live intensely and leave the rest in the hands of the Creator.” For me, that is absolutely perfect! – NWI
