Perfection vs. Progress

Today's Thought: ".... I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy."--Marie Curie

"As we accept our humanness, we'll allow the mistakes that are a normal part of the process of living and learning-a process we call progress." (Hazelden Meditations, Each Day a New Beginning; Daily Meditation for Women, Harper Collins, February 29)

If you are like me, perfection is sought daily. It is the obsessive compulsive attitude that perfection IS possible. Perfection is something to think of fondly, not achieve. We only need to keep trying and do our best. Again, if you are like me, reading that statement made you say but I would be setting if I didn't try for perfection! :)

Acceptance, I think, is a first step in making "progress" NOT "perfection". Knowing that YOU (MYSELF) are worth something that is priceless. That no matter what we aim for, we are already perfect. That YOU (MYSELF) are EXCELLENT! In theory, I would rather be extraordinary or excellent than perfect. If you reach perfection what do you have left to do? There is no more progress to perfection. What do you think? When I think of extraordinary & excellent, I smile.

So what is progress vs. perfection?

Definition of Progress: Noun: Forward or onward movement toward a destination. (Dictionary.com)

Definition of Perfection: Noun: The condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects. (Dictionary.com)

How then is it possible to reach perfection through progress? NOT POSSIBLE! You can't keep moving forward and reach a state free from flaws. There are many hills, rocks, thunderstorms of life a long the paths we take. Realizing that it is progress that brings you happiness allows freedom from judging yourself, that is when you can find your true self worth. Your true perfection.

Reaffirm to yourself; "The patterns I weave with my life are complex and full of intricate detail and knots. I need to go slow, taking only one stitch at a time. With hindsight I will see that whatever the progress, it was the perfect fit to the overall design." (Hazelden Meditations, Each Day a New Beginning; Daily Meditation for Women, Harper Collins, February 29)

Be happy, Be proud of yourself, Be confident!

Allow yourself time, Allow yourself to change & grow (no matter how slow), Allow yourself to love who you are for all the progress you HAVE made not the perfection you HAVEN'T.

You are after all, a GODDESS!

Written By Venus Goddess, Valerie

Anguish: A key word for Kitsap County these Days

The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder.---Virginia Woolf

In the last 24 days, we as a community have experienced (to my knowledge) 4 shootings, 1 stabbing, 3 sailors loss of life...and I know there is much more going on around us in our town.

So what is going on? It seems that everything is happening at one time. Are we due for loss? Anguish? Our way of life is threatened and most of us are fearful for the first time since living here.
I have lived here most of my life and let me tell you this town is pretty quiet. A good community that sticks together and watches out for each other.

Our month of tragedy is just a passing phase in our time. "Anguish is undoubtedly more familiar to us than the beauty of laughter." With anguish comes fear. DON'T let the anguish win by taking your security. Yes, take precautions when alone, be aware of your surroundings and be smart. But don't let it make you fearful.

It's time for us to look each other in the eyes and say hello, smile, spread the love that is in us all. That could make all the difference in our small community! Bring Charity back and love each other!

I have taken all this crime and these unnecessary deaths to heart and personal. This is my home town, this is my safe zone. I cry for the losses; for those that lost their lives and those that lost their loved one. I cry for my home; its threatened state and vulnerable doors. I also take comfort in my knowledge and my faith. I know that what will be will be.

Fear can only inhibit your life....embrace life and do not fear it. No matter what anguish is going on around you. Be safe & LIVE!

Posted By Venus Goddess Valerie

Oh Jillian...

Thought for the Day: We can never go back again, that much is certain.--Daphne DaMaurier

20 minutes with Jillian Michael's and I am ready to NEVER workout again! :)

I have struggled so much this New Year to find me, find happiness, find something...I think I have forgotten to just look in front of me at times. Most everything I am looking for is in my home, with my children and some with my husband. I expect more or less...I expect something to change. I expect to much... I want to turn around and go back to 4 years ago...2 years ago. I want to change what happened, how it happened and how I dealt with it or he dealt. I woke up to all these thoughts and feelings of loss with the logic that I have so much to win.

While working out, Jillian kept saying "don't give up on me"

Even though I have never met Jillian Michael's and probably never will, I didn't want to give up on her. Because somehow, I believed that she isn't giving up on me. I need that motivation to know that someone believes in me SO much that it can help me believe in myself. So, I am dedicating the next 30 days, every morning to be focused and spend that 20 minutes with Jillian.

Who knows...great things may come of this!



Written By: Venus Goddess Valerie

Baby Steps...

I am so inspired to get going and yet so tired and unmotivated. How can those things work together? I am really good at motivational speaking and giving advice...when it comes to me, I am stuck!

What am I stuck in? OR from?

Have you ever seen the movie; What About Bob?? Well Bill Murray is a man that struggles with getting out. He suffers from many phobias that he goes to a shrink (Richard Dreyfus) for help. The psychiatrist is on vacation. SO, Bob decides to go to his vacation site but for Bob to go see him he has to take BABY STEPS...



I am in thought of this movie since the best thing to do when you are stuck (scared, nervous or anxious) is to take BABY STEPS.

I am setting goals today and dates to begin and a end desired date if applicable. I want my life to change, I want to lose weight and feel better and I want to be happy!

It's just going to take BABY STEPS!


Written By: Venus Goddess, Valerie

Time to start over

Today's Thought:

Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.---Janis Joplin

After my last post, I began to think of how to start my life. How to ignite and learn to be ME. I went to an appointment one morning at 0900, and after that went to the local Technical College (Everest) and JUST wanted to look around. 4 hours later, I was enrolled in Massage Therapy School! Sometimes starting over just means having strength to start...

This decision to go to school has brought me a peacefulness that I can never be grateful enough for. I know that no matter what comes my way, I am going to make it! Life is hard! It is the choices we make that make it what it is...the people we let in...and the way we look at it. So this is my DO OVER!...My life begins today...



Do you need a DO OVER? A chance to Start Over? Finding yourself is as easy as turning around!

Posted by: Venus Goddess Valerie

Independence

"She had trouble defining herself independently of her husband, tried to talk to him about it, he said nonsense, he had no trouble defining her at all. " --Cynthia Propper Seton

Thought for the day:

To recover means to learn who we are, independent of friends, children, parents or intimate partners. It means knowing how we want to spend our time, what books we like to read, what hobbies interest us, what our favorite foods are. It means understanding self direction. It means charting a daily personal course and staying on it. It means defining our responsibilities and carrying them out.

Having an independent identity does not preclude depending on others for certain needs. Perhaps we revel in massage---both getting and receiving. Maybe we share the expenses of a household or the responsibilities of raising children. Depending on others to meet their responsibilities does not negate our independent identity; it strengthens it. We CHOOSE where and when to be dependent. Healthy dependency complements healthy independence.

Taken from: Hazelden Meditations; Each Day A New Beginning; Daily Meditations for Women; A Hazelden Book, Harper Collins

I had a moment early this morning (while dealing with insomnia) of temporary nervous breakdown. I felt alone and lost and really felt sad that I was not living my life the way I wanted to. For the last 5 years I have lived a primarily happy life. One filled with struggle and joy, one that is fulfilling and loving. I am generally happy! So, why after this 5 years of sedentariness did I find myself feeling that this wasn't my life?

I came down to read January 23 out of the book quoted above and it all made sense. I have NO INDEPENDENCE. I do everything for my children, my husband, my family and my friends. WHO am I, WHAT do I like and HOW can I get there? I have said this before but it has never been something that I explored or tried to find. A couple of months ago I thought I had started...but fell flat again when my husband came home from sea.

SO....the question is HOW do I break free from the dependence I have set in place and find the independence I need to feel IN my own life?

Share your thoughts and stories!

Written by: Venus Goddess, Valerie

Just a word...

Thought: Fear is only an illusion. It is the illusion that creates the feeling of separateness--the false sense of isolation that exists only in your imagnation.--Jeraldine Sauders

We are all one! We have the same goals, dreams and oneness! Fear is imaginative. We create our own future...

Who are you?

Posted by Venus Goddess Valerie