You are not alone
It’s not easy being human. It is cringeworthy at times. Or is it?
I refer to the blushing gaffs we make unintentionally. Oh yes. We all do it.
Like many things in life, what matters most is how we respond.
The first recommendation, if it’s even vaguely appropriate, is to laugh. Don’t miss out on this potential gold mine of humor — yourself.
In the year 100, Epictetus had it figured out. I’m putting his quote into the basket I call timeless truths.
He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
— Epictetus
I confess that there are times when laughing at myself is difficult. Here is what I figured out that can make this easier.
I am not alone.
One place that reinforced this to me, and you may laugh at this, is Facebook. I refer to the posts such as:
The key to making a grilled cheese sandwich is to burn the first side and be ever so careful with how long the second side is cooked.
— Unknown
Posts like this make me laugh because that is precisely how I make a grilled cheese sandwich. I realize, oh I am not the only one who does this. The posts that end with, ‘asking for a friend’ are similarly funny.
We who stumble about knocking the glass over, not finding anything to add to the latest upbeat conversation, having to burp (or worse) during a solemn moment — we are not alone. Knowing this can take so much of the weight off.
Fact: an endless multitude of us are continually producing less-than-stellar moments all over the planet.
Rejoice! You have found your people! They are — people.
Because imperfection is what it means to be human.
This understanding is so hard for you perfectionists out there. I used to have some leanings that way myself and unnecessarily beat myself up over small failures. Holy smokes. Such redundant suffering. No one is perfect. We are not made to be perfect.
There is a freedom here. Giving yourself the freedom to make mistakes means that you can also be more creative. That’s important! Being creative is where we feel most alive.
If you don’t set yourself free to make mistakes, you will be blocking yourself from trying anything new, especially if it is a creative outlet. If that is your case, I mourn the loss of your beautiful imperfect art. That drawing with unusual yet ever-so-sincere shapes, the song you only play alone in your room.
We love Grandma Moses and Maude Lewis for their honest expression. Not every successful painter is a Michelangelo. Not all worthwhile art hangs in galleries.
Here’s to your song that’s a little off-key but comes from your heart. I never thought either Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen could sing. That didn’t stop the pleasure of listening. Worthwhile music can happen without being trained for concert halls.
Not to belittle the wonder of a Michelangelo or Philharmonic. I have been in awe of both. I merely draw attention to the fact that most of us are not there and never will be. This does not mean our creations are worthless.
The world will be richer when you find the freedom to let your unique imperfection fly.
And when awkwardness threatens, laugh. Humility is much underrated. It has a profound beauty of its own.
Here is the happy conclusion: we were made to laugh at ourselves instead of being made to be perfect.
An unexpected peace and even joy can come with the realization that we all fumble about trying to make sense of this big hot mess called life.
Fumble forward, friends! We are in this together.
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