Learn to Enjoy Imperfection

The imperfections in our lives can cause us a great deal of discontent. By learning to enjoy imperfection, we can experience more happiness.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

One of the most certain roads to happiness is to develop an ability to see the positive aspects of those things which, at first glance, may appear to be negatives. Even seemingly imperfect things have their own form of perfection. Here are ten ways the imperfect people and situations in our lives can provide us with more joy.

1. Imperfections Provide Contrast.

Without the imperfect, we would not be able to enjoy or appreciate those perfect moments in our lives. Imperfect events provide us with the contrast we need to be able to recognize when something (or someone) “perfect” or at least “perfect for us” comes along.

2. Imperfections Create Beauty.

Beauty is often in the imperfections or flaws. Consider, for example, the Mona Lisa’s half-crooked smile, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or even supermodel Cindy Crawford’s mole. Placed in the right setting, these seeming imperfections serve to somehow increase and intensify beauty.

3. Imperfections Teach Us Tolerance.

Dealing with the imperfections in our own character and in the character of others teaches us to be patient, tolerant and accepting. If everyone and everything we came into contact with was perfect or the same, we would never develop the capacity to be tolerant of differences, or to give the precious gift of acceptance to those we love most. In contrast, when we are confronted with what we view as imperfection, based on our own ideas of what is perfect, we are forced to look at things in a new and different light. As a result, we may actually grow as human beings, come to see things in a fresh way, and adjust our ideas of what is perfect.

4. Imperfections Teach Us How to Love.

It is not difficult to love someone when he is perfect or right. The true test of love is that we love that person even when he is imperfect or, sometimes, absolutely wrong. We love him in spite of, or when love is at its best, perhaps even because of, those imperfections that make him the person he is.

5. Imperfections Humble Us.

Imperfections in our character and in our lives may serve to keep our feet on the ground and to keep us humble. If we were absolutely perfect, there would be nothing to which we could aspire, and nothing to keep our egos in check.

6. Imperfections Make Us Stronger.

Overcoming the imperfections in our lives is what makes us strong. The most interesting, tough and spirited individuals we will come into contact with in our lives are often those who were dealt a less than perfect hand. Whether they have had to overcome imperfect finances, imperfect health or imperfect life situations, these people have come out stronger on the other side as a result of the imperfections in their lives.

7. Imperfections Give Us Individuality.

Imperfections make things (and people) unique, and thus provide them with individuality. It is often said that the world would be a boring place if everything was perfect and, consequently, the same. When you are able to approach a person’s imperfections as an integral component of those things that set that person apart from the rest of the world, you can begin to appreciate that person’s unique spirit.

8. Imperfections Add Value.

Imperfections can make something more valuable. For purposes of illustration, consider the case of valuable collectibles, such as art, coins or stamps. The most valuable collectibles of all are so primarily because they are imperfect and, thus, rare. For example, the stamp considered the most valuable in the world is an 1856 one-cent stamp known as the “Black on Magenta,” which was printed and issued under imperfect conditions when the postmaster of British Guiana ran out of stamps. At the postmaster’s request, stamps were poorly printed on substandard paper by the local newspaper and hand-initialed by post office employees to prevent fraud. The makeshift stamps were, to put it mildly, crude and imperfect. The one known existing stamp of this issue was sold in 1980 for $935,000.

9. Imperfections Give Us Purpose.

Imperfections give us something for which to strive. What purpose would our lives have if we were not challenged to rise above imperfections? If our lives were perfect, we would have no reason to work, to overcome, to set goals, or to grow. Simply put, imperfections add purpose to our lives. Without imperfections, we would have nothing toward which to travel on our life’s path.

10. Imperfections Make Us The People We Were Intended to Become.

Imperfection is in the eye of the beholder and is all a matter of perspective. Consider that it is the imperfect aspects of our lives that shape us as human beings. While those perfect, joyous moments we will most certainly experience provide us with great happiness, it is more often the imperfect trials and tribulations we endure which test our mettle, forge our character and lead us to our ultimate destinations.