Progress Not Perfection

After spending years practicing what is referred to in a twelve step program as "the three P's"...perfectionism, procrastination, and paralysis...I often find myself reflecting on a recovery slogan "progress not perfection". What I've found to be true for me is: my perfectionism leads me to procrastinate doing things I want to do for fear of not doing it perfectly. That procrastination then leads me down the path to paralysis. So much time can be wasted on paralysis. I've come to view my perfectionism as a negative character trait. Today, I strive for progress...not perfection.

Last August, Dick and I loaded our bikes for a late summer ride on the Railroad Grade in Ashe County along the New River. That particular day offered an opportunity for me to rethink "progress not perfection". As we were riding along my favorite stretch of the river...I realized a long line of new power poles and power lines had been constructed since our last bike ride. I began thinking of the natural beauty that had remained virtually unchanged for so many years. I remembered how "perfect" the views of the river had been. Now, I'm faced with the ugliness of "progress". Progress for me on that particularly gorgeous day was reflected in that long line of unsightly power poles and lines.

Now, when I think of my recovery slogan "progress not perfection", I choose to focus on my personal progress and consciously strive to let go of my perfectionist tendencies. Yet, when I look at nature and reflect on the "perfectness" found there, I accept that perfectionism, too, has its place. As far as those new power poles and lines along the New River go...I prefer to wish the progress away!

Fast forward to Winter 2010...January deep freeze. Even the long line of power poles and strings of power lines couldn't take away the phenomenal beauty of the New River frozen from one edge of its bank to the other. In my opinion...this is an example of the Master of the Universe practicing His perfectionism!