Pretending to be Perfect |
Posted: January 11, 2014 |
Pretending to be Perfect A friend of mine called me to talk about her problems. Like a good friend, I listened with sympathy but it stopped with that. Instead of confessing my similar quandary, I remained silent. God forbid I let her know I wasn’t perfect. I’m a life coach. I should have it altogether. I mean, how can I help you, if I have problems, right? Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Show me a therapist who never needs therapy and I’ll show you a liar. [Who would you rather talk to…someone who’s “been there, done that” or someone who has NO idea what you’re experiencing? It’s why Weight Watcher’s counselors have all been through the program. They get what you’re going through…it’s not the only way to offer counseling, but it sure helps. J] A big learning lesson for me as a coach [that I’m obviously still learning] is the importance of self acceptance. And the best way to teach anything is to model it. The liberating thing about all this is, we’re not alone. We suffer unduly, thinking “I am the only one whose marriage was screwed up, lost a job, told a lie, drank too much, yelled at my kid”…..not true! We’re surrounded by people going through the very same things. That perfect life or the perfect image other people seem to have is a crock, my fine friend. You don’t need to look too far to find the pain and struggles of others. It’s crazy to think everyone else has it together except us. Do you think these perfect people aren’t playing the same comparison game you and I play? Trust me, they are… Worse than comparing and beating yourself up for falling short, is the striving to get on top of the pedestal in the first place. Climb down from there! It’s not a safe place to be. I spent years trying to project my image of perfection. I thought people would reject me if only they knew who I really was. So I presented this unreal version of myself to please people and get their approval…and that impossible unrealistic picture soon became my everyday nightmare of reality. If you want to be loved –and isn’t that what it’s all about – let folks know you’re not perfect. People can relax and identify with that. Then let folks know you don’t care if THEY’RE not perfect. Last, let yourself know it’s ok that nobodyis perfect. [And by nobody, I mean you, Peaches.] Stop being perfect and start being real. P.S. I love you just as you are. I wouldn’t change a thing. ~God
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|