Quote:
Originally Posted by CarolD  *~*~*~*~*^As Bill Sees It^*~*~*~*~*
Eternal Values
Many people will have no truck at all with absolute spiritual values. Perfectionists, they say, are either full of conceit because they fancy they have reached some impossible goal, or else they are swamped in self-condemnation because they have not done so.
Yet I think that we should not hold this view. It is not the fault of great ideals that they are sometimes misused and so become shallow excuses for guilt, rebellion, and pride. On the contrary, we cannot grow very much unless we constantly try to envision what the eternal spiritual values are.
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"Day by day, we try to move a little toward God's perfection. So we need not be consumed by maudlin guilt for failure to achieve His likeness and image by Thursday next. Progress is our aim, and His perfection is the beacon, light-years away, that draws us on."
1. GRAPEVINE, JUNE 1961 - 2. LETTER, 1966 |
Two points of view. While I believe that I am not "perfect" in the sense of being flawless, I do not use "Progress and not perfection" as a cop-out. Like using alcoholism as an excuse for bad behavior. I'm moving towards perfection through the practice of spiritual principles. Some days are better than others, but I'm getting there. But it is not about getting anywhere. Eternity is now. And the only time I can be anywhere is now and the only time I can live this way of life is now. There is One who has all power-that One is God. The only time he may be found is in the here and now.
I used to be a perfectionist. And it was a hard one to let go of. Between ten and eleven years of sobriety I had a meltdown of sorts. I used inventory to nail myself to the cross and made myself out to be the sickest S.O.B. in AA. I experienced thoughts of suicide daily.
I am on now several years beyond that experience, and hindsight has proven it to be a blessing. I came to a place of self-acceptance. In can live with myself the way I am. And thus it becomes easier to live with you the way you are.
Trying to be a saint nearly killed me. On the other hand, a saint is just a sinner that never quit trying, so maybe we are all saints.
I once read a quote by a saint of The Roman Catholic Church, a little French woman named Therese of Liseaux. She said:
"Perfection is being what God made you to be."
That means that some days, I am perfect.
Peace,
Jim