Have you ever experienced an expectation? I believe this is something we all have had thrust upon us. The expectation to get good grades. The expectation to be a good role model for others. The expectation to be brave in the face of evil. These expectations placed upon us typically come with a "want" in tow: the "want" for your existance to attain a sort of perfection.
This expected perfection can come in many ways. For grades, people may want you to get all A's at school. For being a good role model, people may want you to show no flaw and to always be a good and kind denizen. For being brave, people may want you to show no fear. These pushes towards perfection are prevalent in every want that has ever existed. The wants that everyone feels comes from the incessant reach towards the concept of Perfection. People want the truth and nothing but the truth to come out. People want the perfect person to represent goodness in this universe. People want a beacon of bravery to follow. But a question should be asked: is perfection even attainable?
In order to attain the textbook definition of perfection, one must fulfill certain conditions. Below are a few which may be considered conditions to reach perfection:
One must become the most morally good and kindest person
One must be the most knowledgable person
One must never say incorrect information.
One must be able to protect those ideals they hold dear.
But it's paradoxical isn't it? Everyone's version of the perfection lies in subjectivity. A rural farmer's view of a perfect life is different than that of a business man who lives in the heart of a populous city.
This is all to say that I believe true perfection, under the definition of it that is unanimously accepted by all beings in all cosmos, is unattainable. The fact that people tell you that it is achievable is one of the greatest deceits of all. A timeline where one life is unanimously (by every being that had/has/will ever exist) accepted as the perfection does not exist. So why should we even bother to try and reach perfection? The truth is that we shouldn't.
We shouldn't be hard on ourselves to get every statement we say as correct as possible. We shouldn't be hard on ourselves to appear as the most perfect role model for others because we can never be this person. And that's okay. we shouldnt be hard ourselves to be brave in all situations because, like every other being that had/has/will exist, there is always something they can make us falter.
I believe the truth is that we should work together to be more accepting of our perceived flaws of others. If an individual has a flaw, that is okay because flaws can always be corrected, accepted, and/or redirected. A flaw is also never a true flaw (one accepted by all beings in all realities). It is okay to be wrong, so long as it is corrected by others. It is okay to not be perfect role models, so long as others understand that they must do their best to be a positive role model to others in the healthy way of their choosing. It is okay to not be brave, so long as they can be there for themselves and others when facing a frightening situation.
The pursuit of perfection is never ending. It is a concept that lies on one of the extreme ends of duality. It is one so unattainable that human nor ET nor God nor GCS has ever come close to achieving it.
What do you propose we should do about the concept about perfection? Can anything be done on the concept of perfection? Do you believe that I am utterly in the wrong here?
Please let me know in the comments what you think about this post. I want to hear what you lovely folk have to say about my statements. There is no right or wrong response to this post (unless it involves the spread of negativity). I send this post out in the name of philosophical enlightenment.
This resonates. It ties into my idea that "love" is a rate/ journey not a thing or destination
Perfect isn’t attainable just like you said with its dualistic nature. When those with power abuse it (kings, landlords, CEOs) they often try to pin us against each other (e.g. left v right versus up v down). the need to be productive is a product of capitalism and imperialist greed. this is a big reason we lack ‘third spaces’ and don’t have the ability to relax, socialize, and not have to spend money and worry about ‘catching up’ - it’s a disease in society to make us feel lesser and like we need to give a part of ourselves to those in power (be it our mind body or time).
Since everyone’s ‘perfect’ is relative thus different we set our expectations off of others successes, which makes it a losing race. The questions you outlined - morals knowledge bad ideals are all particular to the person and their requirements. I heard a quote years ago ‘you can’t judge a fish on how to climb a tree’. I think your post does a great job outlining the need for community for growth opposing the idea of ‘winning’ - when what we may be striving for isn’t true contentness, but aspiring to reach an impossible goal. And society tells us if we don’t hit those goals all hell will break look. Thanks for sharing this!
I will try , and I won't stop. The drive of this keeps me going , it is okay to do this.
It's definitely a myth. Nobody can go 100 all the time
I think our imperfections are their own kind of beauty. After all, what are perceived flaws anyway?
Maybe the stuff that makes us different is actually some of the best stuff of all … I’m trying to work more with my neurodivergent brain lately instead of always scolding myself for not being “normal.” I’ve even been thanking my brain when it helps me remember things, and I swear my noodle digs the positive reinforcement or something. Idk.
Lots of interesting stuff to mull over here. Thanks for posting!