When you think about these words- Mediocrity VS Imperfection- it may seem as though they are barely distinguishable.
The thing about a mediocrity culture is that it has us striving for perfection while shovelling simplicity at us. Simple formulas, thin stories, shallow truths.
Real life is grey. Complicated. What I think today might change in 2 months or 4 years (and in fact in many ways I hope it does!). Where I live will almost certainly be a complex subject for me. Who I love might change and will grow. How I feel about myself, other people, society and what my duty is as a human on this earth evolves, and how I feel ‘full stop’ is changing almost every minute let alone once every few years.
I advocate for living in the grey.
That doesn’t mean we stop trying. It doesn’t mean we don’t work on ourselves, or minimise the hurts we bestow upon other people, or just accept unacceptable circumstances.
It means we give ourselves permission to be imperfect while aiming for contentedness, opening our hearts to love while actioning it at the same time, and working out what we value most in this life. Sometimes we don’t get everything right, and that has to be ok.
I made a bunch of versions of this video (this was the first one) with much more well-spoken content and clarity on the points I thought were unclear in this version… but when I returned to this one, I decided that the passion was more important than an even longer discussion which didn’t have this ‘off the cuff’ vibe. So I’m sticking with it, even though I don’t have a still photo and that’s why i’m wearing different clothes- it’s still me though right?!
As the kids say (or at least they used to) YOLO. This IS the adventure. The hard part is working out what you – YOU (not someone who told a cool story about their life or a culture that limits our freedoms and our potential and tries to sell us stuff in place of joy all the freakin’ time) – want from and want to give this life adventure, at any given time. Being kind to ourselves and each other whilst meaning-making is the ongoing project of a lifetime.
What does any of this have to do with Liz Gilbert? Check out the rant in the video.
If you’re looking for an online counsellor, please do get in touch with me. I’m taking referrals and am very happy to hear from any seekers. If not then feel free to sign up for the blog anyways! It’s all free, you get a list of awesome journal prompts and an invite to join us in a closed Facebook group to discuss prompts and other stuff.
NB: In the video I mention that Liz Gilbert’s partner Rayya is dying. The pair have just had a commitment ceremony and although Rayya’s situation is reported to be grave, I wish them a long and beautiful ‘life in truth’ together.
Thanks Nicole – I really appreciate how you ‘live’ what you say, and for me, you choosing an imperfect version of your video and being reconciled and quite okay with it is a great example of this.