Being “perfect” is having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, and characteristics.
Throughout your life, you have always been told “perfection is unattainable,” but what if I told you that statement is false. What if I told you being “perfect” is achievable? What if I also told you being “perfect” is not achieved by having what others consider the perfect nose, the perfect smile, and the perfect skin? What if I told you being “perfect” is being happy and content with yourself? What if I told you being “perfect” is not having all the required elements, qualities, and characteristics that others want you to have? Instead it is having all that you want for yourself.
Let me explain, say you were to have an unconventional nose, crooked teeth, and not so clear skin, and you still felt as though you were the most attractive person in any room you walked into. These qualities are commonly seen as unappealing, yet you are still happy. You are content with your appearance and yourself, regardless of said qualities. You feel no need to change any qualities. Thus, wouldn’t you consider yourself in a state of perfection?
Let’s look at it in a different perspective. Say you had a feature that someone else considered “perfect,” but you disliked it. Wouldn’t you still consider yourself imperfect?
Being “perfect” is having the elements, qualities, and characteristics you want. Being “perfect” is not having the elements, qualities, and characteristics that everyone wants you to have.
In addition, there is this idea that everyone is striving for someone else’s “perfect.” That people actively seek to please others. That people feel the need to be seen as “perfect” in other’s eyes. However, in actuality everyone is striving for their own “perfect.” In actuality, everyone sees themselves as “perfect” once they meet their own checklist, no one else’s. As mentioned earlier, you are not always satisfied with what others find appealing. Thus, everyone comes to their own conclusion of being “perfect” based on their own desires.
There are many ideas of being “perfect.” However, they all seem to have a common meaning. The word “perfect” translated in Greek is “teleios.” Teleios means something being in its intended function. A person happily pursuing their own desires for themselves, is someone being in their intended function. Based on the Greeks definition, a person pursuing their desires is someone living their “perfect” life. The Bible defines being “perfect” as lacking nothing necessary to completeness. A person that happily completes their own checklist, based on their own desires, is considered to be in a state of perfection, in terms of the Bible’s definition. Both ideas of perfection, supports the idea of achieving perfection through fulfilling one’s own desires for themselves. Perfection is fulfilling the elements, qualities, and characteristics you desire. No one feels “perfect” after fulfilling someone else’s wants.
My suggestion to people trying to achieve perfection, is to achieve happiness within yourself. To achieve your desires, no one else’s.
Works Cited
Newman, Leslie. “What Does Perfect Really Mean According to the Bible?” Journey to Imperfect, 15 Apr. 2017, www.journeytoimperfect.com/2017/03/13/what-does-perfect-really-mean-according-to-the-bible/.
“Perfect.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfect.
This is really good advice I wish more people, especially in the social media ran era we're living in, followed. Perfectly imperfect. Beauty and perfection really is subjective, and trying to please someone before you try to please yourself will result in an endless cycle of helplessness.
ReplyDelete-Nora Mahmoud
I love this and completely agree. I began living with this mindset once I heard Hannah Montana say "nobodys perfect". We should all learn to live with this thought in mind, we can only be the best for ourselves. When you sacrifice your desires and happiness to be somebody elses perfect is when your quality of life depreciates. Doing what you want for yourself, loving yourself, life seems to be under your control. The happiness of your life depends on your quality of thoughts, which is the only thing we have power over.
ReplyDelete-Natalia
This is great! I feel like a lot of people should see this and truly understand this definition of perfect. It's really sad to see how people are trying to achieve a certain level of "perfect" but little do they know that there is no such thing unless achieved within yourself. Thanks for this reminder!! - Deisha Son
ReplyDeleteThis piece was so important for people of today especially people with major insecurities to hear, perfection is definitely in the eye of the beholder, social media today causes us to think we need to live up to these false and unrealistic beauty standards which is horrible for people's self esteem especially for people with insecurities, I really enjoyed your piece because you set a helpful message to be comfortable in your own skin and to truly love yourself for who you are and how you are, very empowering! -Shannon Thompson
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the use of repetition at the beginning of this writing piece as it made me want to read more since it stresses the importance and passion you feel for what ‘perfect’ really means. I also really liked how you would use informal diction because it made it seem like I was having a genuine conversation with someone. I love the use of hypothetical situations because it gave me a situation to visualize and cognitively relate to, which was helpful in understanding a new perspective. I absolutely LOVED how you put that being “perfect” is all due to how you see and feel about yourself, rather than others around you. That was beautifully said! The historic and biblical allusions made this idea more heartfelt to me, which I appreciate you for having included. This was motivational and perfect! Thank you for sharing! :)
ReplyDeletePaola Rodriguez
This is such an important topic that I feel is really prevalent to a lot of people today. It's relatable and was put well into words how people tend to feel with this topic. It's hard always comparing yourself to other people and it's even harder to try and perfect everything you do. This was a really well written piece, good work :) -Hailee Cianciminio
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this. It was a very good reminder that everyone sees "perfect" differently, but what matters is that you are happy and content with yourself. Your piece reminded me that it is important to not change yourself for other's ideas of "perfection". Great job!
ReplyDelete-Samantha Le
This piece is so important and so good, I love how you show that perfection is different for everyone. I love the message it portrays- Julianna Cruz
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this! I feel like being perfect is very subjective and varies from different peoples perspectives! Loved that point- Abbie Asalu
ReplyDeleteThis is something I think everyone needs to hear. Growing up in such a judgmental society painted a picture of perfection that the youth has really grown to adhere to those characteristics. I really love the way you compare the different definitions of perfect to prove your well-said point.- Edana Avila
ReplyDeleteThank you for making this. It's really easy to start beating myself up for not meeting my own expectations. But once in a while I realize that I'm pretty ok where I am now. You did a good job!
ReplyDelete-Ronneth Kennedy
I loved your piece. I have some insecurities, and some people always pick on it which makes is worst. I have to work on changing my perspective of perfect, and be content with what I have. Thank you!!
ReplyDelete-Hrishika Reddy Nanamala
Yes! This is a message I think many could use in their lives, and it is always a great reminder to just love yourself. You retaliated against the usual mundane saying, "Nobody's perfect," quite well with the different sources that go along with your statement, that are both ancient and influential. Good work at this!
ReplyDelete- Chloe Baronia
I really enjoyed reading this! this was a nice reminder to myself that not everyone is perfect. Thank you!
ReplyDelete-Brianna Cordova
Hi Kristel! This was a super enlightening piece! I think this is very relevant to today's culture since social media has become so widespread. We are exposed to so many images of people that society sees as "perfect" and it leads us to think less of ourselves. I loved your message because it is so important for everyone to be happy with themselves! Really great piece!
ReplyDelete- Isabel DeVille
I really liked your blog I think that the way you stressed perfection not as the societal perfection but perfection within the views and feelings of oneself was really great. -White, Z
ReplyDeleteI love your interpretation of the "perfect". I think a lot of people, including myself struggle with trying to achieve perfection that they can never get because of the societal norms. This piece definitely hit home for me. -Amy Harvey :)
ReplyDeleteI really loved your take on how to view perfection! I feel like a lot of people have a sort of pressure to strive for that, cause I know I struggle with that sometimes, but the way you selected questions and affirmed them with statements was amazing! The questions you gave really got me thinking and I really enjoying having a fresh new idea on how to live life happy! -Vanessa Fernandez
ReplyDeleteI believe this needs to be said to more people that perfection is what you want it to be and to not worry about anyone else but yourself, especially in such a nosy society where no one can mind their business and keep their rude mouth shut. Thank you for covering this topic. Good job!
ReplyDelete-Rebekah Diaz :)
I liked your piece, we are all perfectly imperfect but it is easy to get your insecurities picked at which makes it worse. But my emotions fluctuate, and sometimes i need to realize that i am okay with who i am! good job! -kayla cecilio
ReplyDeleteI loved how it felt as if you were passionately talking to me. I wanted to respond back with how important I think this topic is and what being "perfect" is really all about. This piece could cure low self esteem if people took this advice. This piece really opened my eyes. Beautifully said. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI truly admired your writing as it is a very concerning topic in society. Our society has formed certain expectations and defined them as "perfect" which is not fair at all. I really liked how you proved your point by comparing different definitions of perfect. Great piece of writing. - Arnav Singh
ReplyDeleteI truly admired your writing as it is a very concerning topic in society. Our society has formed certain expectations and defined them as "perfect" which is not fair at all. I really liked how you proved your point by comparing different definitions of perfect. Great piece of writing. - Arnav Singh
ReplyDeleteKristel, I am astonished that you included the direct definition of perfect and guided the reader to grow from society’s expectations. I enjoyed reading the changed point of view where you learned the understanding of your imperfections which ultimately make you perfect. This is an inspiring piece! -Laylah Perez
ReplyDeleteI love your perspective on the idea of perfection. Everything you have written makes total sense! Amazing job with your choice of diction and creating a sense of relatability! - Devin Davis
ReplyDeleteHi Kristel! I enjoyed reading your piece, as it was very insightful. I like how you brought a whole different meaning to the word "perfect". You described it well enough to the point where it was believable and persuasive. This has changed my perspective on the word. Thank you!
ReplyDelete-Darren Domond
It was quite a smart move using rhetorical questions in the beginning to tear away our perceptions of perfection, so that you yourself, as the writer/speaker, you may build a new idea for us. Great writing in this piece - Tyler Vidal
ReplyDeleteI really loved your piece. I absolutely agree with you & your perception of what perfect truly means. I believe oftentimes we get caught up in pleasing others & appealing to what is popular or favored within society that we lose track of actually fulfilling our own happiness & desires. I believe your piece captures the very definition of perfection, great job Kristel! - destinye jones
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