Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

This is a great little book that one of my classes used a few semesters ago.  It isn't a self-help book, nor is it a text book.  It's just a great little book to read.  It's written by Dr. Gordon Livingston and it details 30 things we should know.

One of my favorites is "Our greatest strengths are our greatest weaknesses".  This one rings true for me personally.

It's true, I have certain personality characteristics that that some may lovingly refer to as obsessive.  I don't consider myself a perfectionist but I do wants things I do completed in a specific way.  Take my homework for instance.  Anything less than an A simply WILL NOT DO.  It drives me to the brink of insanity just thinking about a B.

When I am making a special dish or creating one of the boy's birthday cakes




It has to be JUST right.

It's too bad I'm not so obsessive with spring cleaning.  It's a standing joke in my family that I am a terrible "housekeeper".  Wait a minute... stop thinking that thought you're thinking...  now if company unexpectedly drops by the house is usually clean enough that I don't have to stop them at the door to tell them the house is under quarantine for the dreaded lily-livered chicken snout pox but my baseboards are dusty, there are crumbs on the table from breakfast, and the beds are unmade.

However, my dear little sister's house is so clean you could literally eat off the floor.  Really, you could, if you so desired.  She has ALWAYS been like that.  I can remember her as a little girl with banana curls actually [GASP] asking Mom what she could clean.  Holy Lysol!  Can you imagine???

Needless to say, I prefer to spend my time wallowing in my dust with my nose in a book.  She used to get so mad when I would curl up with a book. 

The moral of today's blog is a simple one.  Don't let your perfectionistic tendencies  wear you down.  Take a breath and realize it is ok if I get a B, it is ok if you can play tic tac toe in the dust on your baseboards - as long as you are happy.

9 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

I finally looked at the grade thing as if you get a B it may tell the future employer you might have a personality.My last semester I took a totally different approach and still graduated with honors.

floweringmama said...

:-) Good point Steve!

Alex Ong said...

I've learned to let go of a lot of my "perfectionist" tendencies, especially at my day job.

Alex
Breakfast Every Hour

floweringmama said...

It's not always easy to let go.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Cathy, SO TRUE..... I was always trying to be a perfectionist --and it was killing me... I finally realized that there are many more important things in life, such as being HAPPY.... These days I am much calmer and easier on myself. Thanks Be to God!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Jules said...

Thank the lord. I've been writing messages in the dust for a week now! Man what a cake I might add. Hope your break is going well. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Nancy said...

I think it's on the same order as -- the one thing that people admire about you is also the thing they despise. Something like that. :)

No eating off the floor over here, after the 5 second rule anyway.

Corine Moore said...

I have found the same thing to be true. For every weakness, look for the silverlining; because it is there!

PS I USED to be a perfectionist, too. Sometimes I miss the perfectly clean house that I used to have, but most days I simply revel in all that I enjoy daily because I don't spend as much time cleaning! :O :D Live is good! :D

jeanlivingsimple said...

I finally lost many of my perfectionist ways. Now my life is less stressful and happier.
Just look at that neat cake! You are very talented!