Some thoughts on the notion of "Perfection..."

Happy Tuesday (yeah, I know.  I'm getting really, really bad about not pre-writing, but sometimes what I PLAN to write about isn't what I'm LED to write about.  So just bear with me sometimes, I am learning to be obedient... [that is another post entirely!]).  

I hope that everyone is doing well.  I'm in a hectic time right now, lots of things happening at once and not enough time to get everything done!  Which means that emails don't get sent, calls don't get returned, texts are forgotten and blog posts aren't written...

What does all that mean?  It means that try as I may, no matter how hard I try, I'm not perfect.  I don't always have it all together.  Some days (ok, this is me, EVERY day) I start with a grand to-do list and all these ideas on what I'm going to accomplish that day.  Yeah. Then the Tween has an epic slow down and my morning plans are shot (happened today). Or I run into an old friend and we end up chatting for an hour when I (finally) dropped the Tween off at camp (also happened today).  So my morning start got pushed back almost 2 hours, and I have a full afternoon already (not to mention another last minute thing thrown into the mix this morning but I had to add it, class tonight and yesterday's undone tasks!)... you get the idea.

So I'm not perfect.  It's one of my major faults.  I'm actually just, wait for it... HUMAN.  And I accept that.  In fact, I accepted it a long time ago.  It just seems that other people I come into contact with can't, don't and won't accept it.  They are unwilling to extend the benefit of the doubt.  They appear to be unable to accept shortcomings and humanness.  Newsflash: the last time I checked, we were all human (unless I'm in contact with some alien life forms that I was unaware of...).  Meaning that we are all imperfect beings.

What does this mean?  It means, folks need to adjust their unrealistic expectations.  You know, those that are quick to demand perfection but in return expect grace for their missteps, mistakes and imperfectness.  The idea that real life doesn't happen to other people, just themselves.  Those that are quick to point out someone's shortcomings and criticize, but are unwilling to lend a hand or become a part of the solution.  You know those people...we all do.

So today, August 11, 2015, I make this grand announcement to the world:  I AM NOT PERFECT!  There, I said it!  Nor will I pretend to be... I can only be what I am, human, and with that comes mistakes and shortcomings.  If you are to be in my world on any level, then you must accept and expect that.  And either you will extend grace, mercy and forgiveness in those instances, or not.  There's always a choice.  

You know I love a good list, so here's a good place for one.  Reasons why you should accept humanness in others:

1) The Lord's Prayer says:  "...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us..."   How do you expect grace and forgiveness if you won't give it????

2) Which leads to number two, you never know when you will need grace for your humanness... Let that marinate for a minute.

3)  The bible also says this:  "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."  Matthew 7:5 (NIV)

(Image from here).

Which means that you should examine yourself before you examine others.

4) My grandmother used to say this:  "every time you point one finger at someone else, there are three point back at you."  

5) Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.  Enough said.

6) Last but not least, no one is perfect.  It's as plain and simple as that!  I just saw this on Pinterest last night and it actually inspired this post (along with some real-life drama going on):

(Image from Pinterest, but originally from here).

So what am I saying?  Cut folks some slack sometimes!!!  You never know what a person is going through, just by looking at them.  Everyone doesn't wear their issues on their sleeves and smiles hide a lot of pain and stress sometimes.  

Take me for instance.  I know there are people who think/feel that I have disappeared or just fell off the face of the earth right now.  No, not so much.  But I am dealing with some life things at the moment that are terribly important and take everything within me to manage. Like this:  today marks 741 days of unemployment for me.  That is pretty major.  But I thank God that we are still standing (bent at this point, but standing, nonetheless).  That being said, when you say your prayers (if you are a prayer-type of person), say one for me and my family that our finances continue to hold during this season (and I thank you in advance).

Ok, got that off my chest, and maybe it will help someone who is going through this also from the perspective of being judged or maybe you are the judger.  Either way, I hope it inspires you to examine yourself.

On a side note, this past weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time with a group of talented ladies that I just "met" via Meetup, The Creative Southsiders.  It was a pleasure to meet them and see the things they were working on (forgot to take pictures - next time) and it gave me some much needed downtime as well.  I worked on the wall piece for the new baby (unfinished because her name hasn't been finalized yet), and some scrapbook pages. I really needed the  break, so many thanks to The Creative Southsiders for having me!!! Here's what I worked on:

Here's the wall art for the new baby; I saved space for her name and more embellishments.  I used paper from American Crafts Play line (from 2007...), some bling trim from Michael's, the "princess" sticker from an old Pebbles kit, the 3-D princess sticker is also from Pebbles, cardstock from Bazzill and Die Cuts with a View, flowers from Prima and Bazzill and butterfly stickers from Jolee's.

This page is adorbs!  It features my nephew and great nephew!  I used primarily papers from Heidi Swapp's September Skies line, cardstock from Close to My Heart (outdoor denim, my all-time favorite navy cardstock), stickers and flag pennant from Basic Grey, foam letters and ribbon from American Crafts, some small star stickers from Studio Calico, and a random star that I had in my stash (I think it's from Creative Imaginations).  It's my favorite page of the day!

I'm not quite finished with this page; but I only had limited supplies with me.  This features the Tween's very first eye appointment in 2009!  I used papers by Carta Bella (So Noted Collection), cardstock from Close to My Heart (bamboo, my all-time favorite neutral cardstock), a flair button from Basic Grey, and a really old flower embellishment.  Still needs a little more embellishing though...

Welp, you know that to-do list I was talking about???  I have to get to back to it now.  Thank you so much for reading my blog and for your encouraging comments, emails, texts and Facebook messages!  I am humbled that my little posts inspire folks sometimes.  So thank you.  I am on bloglovin' now, so you can follow me there.  It's actually very neat, you can follow all of the blogs you read in one place.  Check it out here.  

But back to the subject of this post just for a second.  Just remember to give folks the benefit of the doubt sometimes, you never know what they are dealing with.  That's all I'm saying. Do you agree?  Holla @ Darvi!  Be Blessed!!!