Perfecting Perfection

Good and bad deeds play a part in who we are.  It has been established that, mostly through the process of understanding ourselves and viewing what others do and don’t do,  that no one is perfect and no one is absent from the mistakes that plague us all.

Perfection, the goal of many who claim to be on that road to salvation requires a serious self-reflection and a continuous desire to improve each day or at least stay on track toward improving.  The goal of being perfect must include the idea that no one is perfect and only by growing and improving can we find any solace in the act of working toward perfection. 

Logically, at least from my perspective, the attempt toward being perfect must start from the realization of being flawed, broken, inadequate and unworthy, knowing that we cannot obtain that lofty goal while in mortality or ever depending on your view of your existence.  

Striving to do better each day, acting the part, going through the motions or even convincing ourselves that we are doing what we can to improve who we were is, in a sense, a desire toward being perfect, even if we never know what “perfect” is. 

Perfection may be unknown and in our ever-changing world seeking flawlessness may have negative consequences, especially when the desire toward perfection takes precedence over the need to live within this troubled and defective world.  Perfectionism demands acceptance of only that which is perfect, meaning that if you’re a perfectionist you’re demands will always be below your standards and even below your own level of functionality. 

It is not wrong to want to strive for perfection, but it is unrealistic to demand what cannot be obtained or delivered.  Even if I want to be perfect I must understand that my journey toward that lofty goal is mine and mine alone.  My perception of perfection is different and unique to me as yours is to you.  But should that stop us from trying?

The example of Judge Kavanagh is apropos and regardless of what you think of the judge, his policies, his politics or his past, is he or is he not striving to improve his life?  Does he have a meaningful life, has he endeavored to act better today than he did yesterday?  All politics aside, and I understand that sentiment is perhaps unthinkable to some and impossible for others, but if it could be set aside, is this man, Judge Kavanagh, the same man he was when he was 17 and is what he is accused of doing, I stress ACCUSED, equal to the man, the father, and husband he has become?  

Many will claim the accusation sufficient to excuse the nomination leaning toward guilty until proven innocent.  This should trouble all Americans, especially the criminals, Politicians included and those who fail in their attempts to work toward perfection, those that lust after the seedy underbelly of the natural man.  For in that sentiment comes the division and abandonment of individual rights and protections under the law exchanged for an ever-changing dictatorial philosophy of power over the people.   

We are all different than we were.  The issue of perfection and the idea of striving to be better, to be more, to be more healthy, to be more considerate, or even more educated has to be a consideration in relation to who we are now as opposed to who we were.

Are we willing to forgive a person’s past? Are we willing to forget or excuse, or are we adamant regarding the actions of the past, to the point of never allowing the deeds of yesterday to be mitigated by the actions of today or over an entire life?  For those who throw the stones of accusations, I say "watch out for flying rocks".

Of course there are conditions of severity and punishments but in context to the overall measure of a man, what constitutes an unforgivable deed, an unpardonable sin or an intolerable act, and by that same measure of a man (and women) do we stop their progress toward perfection based on our desire to judge them in context to what they used to be, rather than what they are now?

There are many who have done deplorable acts against others and have not changed from who they were and have not been so judged as Judge Kavanagh.  Bill Clinton, Bill Ayers, Reverend Sharpton, to name but a few.  Are they on that road to perfection, have they made vast improvements to their lives over the last 30 years?  If your answer is purely political and your goal is to ruin or destroy than you're not considering the individual and you have discounted your existence and your relationship toward improving your life.

I am not supporting or denying the claims leveled against Judge Kavanagh but only providing context to the motivations of those that accuse and their support toward the efforts to discount an entire life over the spurious claims of one that seems to be purely political pontification for the purpose of prevaricating the nomination process.

As you attempt to seek your own perfection, please take to heart the logical and philosophical desire we all have toward being better…Look to the future and the future will look kindly on you.