the beauty of imperfection

For some reason, there is a strange desire within to show the world that my life is together...that I am together. In fact, reality is a much different thing. I don't have it together. I am struggling to find out why I need to show the world this crazy ideal. I don't want to be perfect...perhaps it is a control thing but whatever it is, it needs to stop.

After some contemplation of this realization, here are my learnings:

- Allow myself the grace to make mistakes such as showing up a day late for the 10K race as I did in September. No one died due to this oversight.
- Share triumphs and failures with my confidantes...even if that means breaking down and losing the plot at a wedding.
- Be real and vulnerable. Ask for help or cheerleaders when I need them.
- Have friends over even when my house is untidy - they are coming to see me...not my cleaning abilities.
- If life takes a detour and I can't complete my 101 things in a 1001 days, that is okay.
- And most importantly, in the words of Anne (or was it Miss Stacey?)..."Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it." I love a do-over, a new start...or a redemption.

In other news, I attended a un-church this morning and enjoyed the non-churchiness of it. I may go back next week. It is definitely in the emergent church realm...relational and relevant or as Brian McLaren calls it "A Generous Orthodoxy". The sermon topic involved the Robert Plant/Alison Kraus musical collaboration "Raising Sand"...definitely not normal church.