A New Standard of Living

I found this quote browsing Tumblr over the weekend and it really stuck out to me. I've spent so much time striving for some idea of "perfection" that I have let it consume me and therefore have spent a lot of time being unhappy. I think it's definitely a big mistake I've made.

I've come to the novel conclusion that I will never be "perfect". I won't have the "perfect" friends and family. I won't have the "perfect" social life. My body and mind will never be "perfect". I'm not going to have the "perfect" apartment. My personality isn't going to be "perfect". I could go on. But you know what I've realized? All of these imperfections and things that have stressed me out and bummed me out for so long are mine and I should start being grateful for them. I should be happy that I have a few close friends who love me. I should be happy that, while they can bug me at times, I have such a great and caring family. I should be happy that I've been blessed with a working mind and a body that is free of anything really wrong. I should be happy that I have a roof over my head and that I can call it my home. I should be happy for so many things.

I really do need to start holding myself to a standard of grace. For one, it will keep me from being so hard on myself. I also think it will let me appreciate everything and everyone that I have in my life. Living a life of grace is more about enjoying things, seeing the beauty in life and being thankful for what you have. Life should be more about being generous and gracious and appreciative than obsessing over perfection.

So, here's to throwing the need for perfection out the window. Goodbye to being sad, frustrated, miserable and blinded by something that no one can really obtain. This is a new outlook for me and it will most definitely be for the better.