Chasing Perfect

One of the most interesting and sad things about life is that mankind has the ability to perceive perfection but never acheive it.

I wonder why that is?  What is so deeply engrained in the human psyche that we are never satisfied with what we have or where we are in life....or worse, is this just me?

Where is that line drawn between healthy ambition and depraved obsession?  And why are those markers we set up for ourselves so important?  How many times do we say "If I could only lose five more pounds, I'll be a better person" or "If I could only make X more money, I'd be happier?"  It is a wheel that doesn't stop turning.  We meet those goalposts and push onward for even bigger and even better and even more.  As if having newer stuff or dropping a pant size really matters in the grand scheme of the universe. 

I think we have the notion of perfect completely wrong.  I'm not saying it isn't good to push for something better or try to make the most of what we have, but, we are often perfect in our imperfections and in spite of ourselves.  It is those endearing quirks, funny habits, and strange little fears that separate us from each other--they make us unique, and unique is beautiful. 

One of the things that bothers me most about modern culture is that uniqueness is not valued more.  Pull off any expressway at any exit and what you find is that it largely, at a sweeping glance anyway, looks like every other exit off every other expressway.  Big box corporations have conglomerized much of our way of life, taking away that unique flavor and expression.  Gone are the days of wandering into some unique little enclave and finding some special spin, some hidden treasure, some unique gem. 

The same goes for people.  We want what everyone else has and we push ourselves to have and do and be exactly like everyone else.  We don't value the individual and we stress conformity.  We are Stepford.  Uggh!  Give me someone with the courage to be different any day.  Rock that funky hat!  Paint your house orange!  Take that path less travelled and do it with a SMILE on your face.  It's OK to not be just like everyone else.  As long as you are happy with who you are...Even if it isn't perfect, it is perfect enough for me. 

I promise.

A little more Carmichael's Bookstore and a lot less Wal-mart for me, please....