Monday, August 30, 2010

Ch-Ch-Changes


"Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing."
~Harriet Braiker

It can be an exhausting world out there. We strive for the perfect life, the perfect relationship, the perfect body, the perfect smile/hair/nails, perfect grades, the perfect job. We feel like everyone expects so much from us, yet we expect even more from ourselves. More often than not, we feel demoralized as we fail to live up to our own standards. It's time that we change our mindset. Instead of striving for perfection, let's strive for positive change, for growth.

Change doesn't have to be huge. In fact, I'll argue that small change is better than big change much of the time. Being healthy, loving yourself, and improving your life doesn't happen in one day. But there's never a better time to start than NOW. Make one small change, one swap and you won't even notice until you start to see a big difference in your life. Maybe today you'll try a new vegetable. Maybe you'll run a little farther or faster than you did yesterday. Remember, the goal is not perfection, but rather a step in a positive direction. Appreciate what you have right here, right now, and then take the steps to make that a little bit better.
I love what Ashley of Nourishing the Soul what has to say about Acceptance and Change (hint-they are not mutually exclusive)

Change and growth begin when you step outside of your comfort zone.
Eleanor was one smart lady.

Today I challenge you:
  • To compliment yourself
  • To compliment a stranger
  • To tell a friend how much they mean to you
  • Write your body a love letter
  • To do one thing better than you did yesterday
  • Try something new!
  • Do something that scares you
Let's be that change we wish to see in the world, and shake things up. Instead of striving for perfection it's time to appreciate what we have right now, and take steps towards positive change.

2 comments:

  1. Great post, Ellie! I read a quote recently that I loved, "Change is inevitable. Growth is by choice." If we strive for perfection, we will only drive ourselves into a vicious cycle of disappointment, and I think that's because "perfection" is a non-existent notion. However, encouraging ourselves to take one baby step a day toward a positive change is certainly doable. And it makes you feel good! Today, I will try to run a little bit faster than usual :)

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  2. I really like this one!! I am a rockstar at going to the extremes - either I need it to be "perfect" or I'll just choose to opt out. I think this is why it was SO hard for me to get back to running after the marathon-induced injuries... I couldn't accept the fact that anything less than a 8 mile run, was a real "run." However, running all those 3 milers with you this summer definitely showed me that shorter distances are no less legit...and now i'm FINALLY back in the groove! thanks so much chica :)

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