Imperfection And Peace
hustle culture is making us unhappy. All is not lost, however, for those with fire in their bellies can break free of this monstrous tyrant directing them, and cultivate the art of finding peace and joy in imperfection.
Taking the garden as metaphor may better illustrate the futility of achieving perfection.
A manicured, sanitised garden swept clean of all fallen leaves and twigs, with a spotless driveway, and flower beds laid out all in a row, even colour-coded, reflects the laboured striving of the gardener (or his employee) for perfection. Everything in its place, neatly trimmed, in so much order that even birds and insects hesitate to participate in this artificial 'paradise'.
Another kind of garden is that which is a medley of herbs and flowers, fruit trees and bushes, not in any particular regimented order but happily co-existing in an informal but vibrant ecosystem that is charming, diverse and interesting — although it is, by a purist's standard, totally imperfect.
A friend would strew some loose petals on the table close to the flower vase, for it to look natural.
Nature is splendid and exudes joy because it is imperfect in many ways. Freeing oneself from the obsession for perfection can be so liberating that joy and peace become well within one's grasp.
