“I didn’t have to become perfect because I’ve learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness. Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable“.- Janelle Monáe
As summer turned to fall this year, my marigolds got a little ragged around the edges. They looked somewhat less than perfect. I loved them anyway. Those little bursts of sunshine in my yard never fail to brighten my mood.
I might look a little ragged around the edges too. I am far from perfect. Maybe my marigolds are trying to teach me to accept myself as I am, to forsake fruitless comparisons to my former self, to live in today.
Maybe my marigolds are there to remind me of compassion and acceptance.
Linking with Cee’s FOTD Challenge and A Spirit of Simplicity for Selah.
Please click on the following link to read more funny or inspirational one-liners. One Liner Wednesday.
Such an inspiring post! Thank you Laurie! 🤗
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Thank you, Christy!
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How often do we want to change something about ourselves that’s unique to us? Although I tend to be a perfectionis in my work, I’ve learned to let go of the perfectionist in who I am. Thanks for the reminder!
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Oh yes, so true. We need to learn to love and accept ourselves – imperfections and all!
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Amen to that quote. I, too, need to be reminded that perfection ain’t all what it’s cracked up to be. I like your marigolds.
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Thank you. I miss them now! That picture was taken a month or so ago.
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I have stressed (a version of) this point to my development teams for almost 40 years! The quest for perfection impedes a lot of otherwise great projects.
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Yes, so true. We are often so paralyzed in our quest for perfection, it is difficult to take the first step.
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I think when we see the beauty in nature, we learn that there is beauty in imperfection. That’s why I don’t like to alter my photos! Enjoy your day!
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Oh, yes! That makes perfect sense. You have a great day too!
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Nature is such a good teacher when we pay attention. Thank you for this wisdom.
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Thank you, JoAnna. Looking at nature usually starts the wheels turning in my head! 🙂
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Good thing to remember. We are much more forgiving of our friend’s and family’s imperfections but not so ourselves.
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So true! Why is that?
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Still trying to figure that out.
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So bright and cheerful. Wonderful flower to today 😀
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Yes, reminds me of summer! Thank you, Cee.
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I love the quote that you started with and the lessons your marigolds have been teaching you. I need to embrace that lesson too.
Blessings to you!
Marva | SunSparkleShine
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Thank you, Marva. I find that extending the same kindness to myself that I readily extend to others is sometimes difficult! Blessings to you, too!
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Cheers to your marigolds. Interesting how it’s often harder to focus compassion and acceptance on ourselves, even though we’re clear about extending them to other people.
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So true! Why is that? We are all so loveable!
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Awesome quote to remember.
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Thank you. I love it too!
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Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable“. Oh how I wish I could do this.
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So true! Easier said than done.
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Those are good words to live by Laurie – they keep us from gasping as we look in the mirror as the years slip by …
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Ha! So true! I still sometimes think of myself as I was when I was a young mom. How did so many years go by so quickly?
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I do too and don’t really see myself as older in many respects. I follow a young woman’s blog and she has just started grad school in the medical field. She was an emergency room nurse before and decided to undertake more training – she found it very stressful and upsetting. I did not follow her back in those days, but looked back to see what job she had left behind. Anyway, I told her one day that I see myself in her in my youth, though we really don’t have anything in common. She is a newlywed and her husband is applying to grad school as well (P.R. – he has a job doing marketing for a San Diego baseball team) … I told her when I was her age people would say to me “you are so lucky and I’d love to be in your shoes, you travel, you are going to school, you have a job that you love (the diner), you have it all.” I would smile and say thank you and didn’t realize then that was probably the best years of my life. How quickly we were just college girls/women and the years have sped on by. It really gives you food for thought sometimes. On another note, I have heard from Ilene – twice in one day. She wrote late last night and said she was going for a CT scan on her head this morning to check on the bleeding in her brain. She went this morning but won’t get results until Tuesday as the doctor is out of town. She still can’t put weight on her foot, but says she was out of bed today and did not drive to get the CT scan, but said she felt well enough to. She is not supposed to drive until her doctor okays it. The power of prayer – hopefully Ilene is on the road to recovery thanks to you as well and your prayers for her Laurie.
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Old will always be just a little bit older than we are, Linda! 🙂
I am so glad you heard from Ilene. Even though she still has issues to deal with, it must be a relief to have heard from her. You are a good friend!
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Thanks Laurie and she had/has you pulling for her as well. I did hear from her again today and she says she is not feeling dizzy and her foot is better, but she still stayed in bed most of the day. Her niece will be travelling to visit her family starting this weekend and not returning until after the beginning of the new year. She was going to cancel her plans, but Ilene says she feels confident to be alone again – fingers crossed she is.
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Glad to hear she is getting stronger. You must be relieved!
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I am Laurie – she is much stronger and I am relieved. I need to catch up here – I was walking and taking picures for almost 7 hours yesterday … going to catch up later this afternoon.
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Love this “Maybe my marigolds are trying to teach me to accept myself as I am, to forsake fruitless comparisons to my former self, to live in today.”
Nature just is – unapologetically. We waste so much time wanting and miss the beauty that is right now. Marigolds are good teachers😊💓
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Thank you, Catherine. Nature does have a lot of lessons to teach us. One of the most important is to “just be”.
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Loving kindness to ourselves and others can change the world! Thanks for sharing this, Laurie.
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Yes, so true. Thank you, Molly.
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Very well stated – I love marigolds too – they are hearty and put up a great fight for their spot in the garden each year. I can always count on them to come through for me as a loyal garden friend.
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My hubby used to discourage me from planting yellow flowers – said they looked too much like dandelions. I began planting them anyway a few years ago, and now he likes them too. I just love the yellows, oranges, and reds.
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Thanks so much Laurie for partying with us at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty and Giveaway! We hope to see you at our next party on Dec-19-2018.
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Thank you, Dee. I will put it on my calendar!
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…I learned many years ago that ‘pretty good’ was good enough in an imperfect world.
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Yes, exactly right!
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All of us are a little rough around the edges – none of us are perfect
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So true!
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Funny, some things I can be perfectionist about, and other things am’ decidedly not.
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My hubby is a perfectionist enough for both of us! 🙂
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Mine can be about some things, not others — I guess like me!
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Hello, the marigolds are pretty. We do not see any blooms here in the winter. I wish we did. I love that quote, It is fitting for me. I am not perfect and I like the description unique. Enjoy your day, have a great weekend!
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Actually, I took the picture a little over a month ago. I am far from perfect too. Thank you. You have a good weekend too!
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Oh I am certainly a little ragged around the edges. I think perfection is over rated.
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So true. Way overrated!
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Excellent quote!
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Thanks! Janelle Monae is so wise!
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Dare I say…. this is perfect ??? hee hee
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Hahaha! I see what you did there! Thanks! 🙂
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