Perfection! Have you got it?

"Gold cannot be pure just as people can't be perfect"

- Chinese Proverb

What's your view on daytime TV?

Being a teacher it's not very often that I am able to spend time watching daytime TV which, from the things I've seen on TV, is not necessarily a bad thing. It's all about auctions and car boot sales, or chat shows and house programs. There's nothing wrong with those sorts of things if that's what you like. But there are only so many 3 bed, detached houses and 100 year old toys you can take before it all becomes too much.

On the plus side, there does seem to be a wide range of game shows on during the day which, I'm sorry to admit, are something of a guilty pleasure. I love them! From Deal or no Deal to Tipping Point, I love the tension and challenge of having to rack your brains to try and find the winning answer. One particular game show that I've discovered, during my day time TV binge, is a program on BBC 1 called "Perfection". If you haven't seen it here's a link to an episode.

Basically this is how the game works. 

The contestant is chosen at random from a panel of 4. Once selected the player is given a selection of different questions on a variety of topics to which they must simply answer true or false. Easy. The idea is that they must get all of their answers correct to achieve perfection. If they don't achieve perfection then the remaining 3 players are able to change the answers that they think the player has wrong with the hope of winning the round. The winner of the round, be it the contestant or the panel, is then able to choose the topics they would like their questions to be about in the final round for the prize. WOW! That was tricky to explain but watch the clip and you'll get the idea. The format is compelling to watch and is a great idea.

As I watched the program for the last time today, before returning to work on Monday, it got me thinking about the concept of "perfection".

Perfection is something that many people strive for in today's world. Plastic surgeons help those aiming for perfection in their looks. Stores and outlets offer clothes and sales that can help you achieve perfection in your looks. Students study and revise to achieve perfection in their results. Car enthusiasts try to keep their cars looking perfect. The list goes on. Perfection is something that we, as humans, have an obsession with.

Living with two sisters, there is always a talk about all things fashionable, including jewellery. Now I'm not really an expert but I've picked up that jewellery is also categorised according to its perfection. The more perfect it seems to be the higher the category. A diamond which has few imperfections are worth far more and consider to be much better than those which have more imperfections. Yet again, another example of our obsession with getting things perfect. We love to be perfect.

As I thought about this example it got me thinking, how often do we judge people like we judge diamonds? Looking at people's imperfections before we even know anything about them. How often does society put those who seem to be "perfect" before those who are not?

So I end with this thought.

No-one in this world is perfect, nor will anyone ever be. A wise Chinese proverb once said, "As gold cannot be pure, neither can people be perfect". I wonder how much time and money is wasted by people who try to reach perfection? How much better life could be if we embrace our impurities and celebrate our differences. People who aim to be perfect will never be satisfied in life. Another cut. Another tuck. However, people who are happy with  themselves and are comfortable in their own skin will always be happy with their life. 

As I read through my twitter feed this evening it seemed that I wasn't the only person thinking about this topic of perfection today. Jahmene Douglas (former X Factor contestant) tweeted this today, "I'm not striving for perfection, I'm striving to be better."

That's what it is all about. If we strive for perfection we will fail every time. But in our lives, if we aim to better ourselves we will always succeed. The same applies to those people we come into contact with. Don't judge people for their imperfections but love people for those things that make them unique. After all, the best friendships and relationships often form between the most unlikely of people. 

C.S Lewis put's it this way, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one?”

So forget about perfection, you'll never get there. Be happy with where you are and who you are and tomorrow try and be better! Remember, it's your differences and imperfections that make you you, and no-one else does you better!

Bywyd sydd yn byw - Just living life!

RM