What if life were perfect?
What if you lived in a perfect world of perfect people and perfect possessions, with everyone and everything doing the perfect thing at the perfect time?
What if you had everything you wanted, and only what you wanted, exactly as you wanted, precisely when you wanted it?
What if, after luxuriating in this perfect world for the perfect amount of time, you began thinking, “There seems to be a lack of risk, adventure and fun in perfection. Having it ‘my way’ all the time is starting to get dull.”
What if, after yet another perfect length of time, you decided, “Perfection is a perfect bore.”
What if, at that point in your perfect world, you noticed for the first time a button marked, “Surprise.”
What if you walked over, considered all that might be contained in the concept of “surprise”, decided, “Anything’s better than perfect boredom”, took a deep breath, pushed the button…
…and found yourself where you are right now – feeling what you’re feeling now, thinking what you’re thinking now, with everything in your life precisely the way it is now—reading this blog.
This is the opening page of a classic “self help” genre book called, Life 101. It’s a classic read that came out in 1991 and I’m sure I read shortly there after. I keep it around and scan it now and then. I’ve always loved this opening page and thought I’d share it now.
Hope you enjoyed it too.
Ah, yes, the much desired Perfect Life. Nothing to worry about, nothing to want for, nothing to fear. How terribly frightening such a life would be.
Hence, how wonderfully gifted we all are to be given this opportunity to awaken through challenge, to find our way when we get lost, to have the unscheduled adventure of growing and I’m not just talking about older.
As my pal Brenton often reminds me [and I paraphrase as best I can], “The perfection of life is in it’s always moving towards good, it’s just that we can’t always see it from our close up vantage point so we misjudge it’s trajectory.
I’ve learned to accept that it’s the universal unfolding towards all things good, towards life and enlightenment and my challenge is not to change the path of the Universe but to accept each moment in it’s glorious perfection without judging it or making it wrong. For it’s my judgement, my labeling which causes me fear and distress while breaking my connection with the greater good and truth.”
Now THAT is the PERFECT LIFE.
7. August 2012 at 11:32 am
Shawn,
I’ve tracked with you and your brother for years. Great work. Good stuff. Captivating into to LIFE 101. I am particularly impressed because your philosophy of ‘the perfecto of life is in always moving forward’ and ‘awakening through challenge’ are precisely aligned with Mormon Theology and I am a fifth generation Mormon with Pioneer Ancestors who trudged through persecution to perfection and faced challenge with courage. We believe that God has given us ‘free agency and will’ to choose, ‘opposition in all things’ to help us grow and ‘eternal progression’ — as there is no end of existence. I presume you are not LDS – but all truth is circumscribed into one great whole and I cherish those who embrace truth wherever it is found.
Continue your good work
Kieth Merrill
7. August 2012 at 11:39 am
“The perfection of life is in it’s always moving towards good, it’s just that we can’t always see it from our close up vantage point so we misjudge its trajectory.” Excellent. I’m saving this for my quote collection.
7. August 2012 at 11:39 am
Happy (perfect) birthday bro!
7. August 2012 at 11:48 am
Thanks for something to think about, Shawn. Isn’t perfect, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder? I think each of us has to decide what’s “perfect” for him or her. And you’ve given me a better way to look at what’s “perfect” for me.
7. August 2012 at 1:17 pm
Yes, I agree, the way to go “IS” living in the moment. Letting life unfold, playing the role of the non judgemental, non controlling person. Let go and be grateful for all that you have, had, and will have. It all comes down to a choice we make in every moment of every day. Relax, enjoy life, it’s the only one you have….right now.
7. August 2012 at 2:40 pm
Shawn, Mark another one down in the History Book. Happy Birthday.
I personally would not object to a little “Perfection” in my life right now.
I have been training for the Chicago Marathon and seems like I have suffered just one set back after another. Latest set back was a bite from a Copperhead snake less than two weeks ago. It was a “teenage” Copperhead about 16″ long and only about as thick as my pointer finger. The young Copperheads usually pump all the venom they’ve got when biting. Many of the older Copperheads will initially give a “dry” bite or just a little venom when they feel threatened. Just my luck, I got the full dose of venom.
I did not kill the snake. Most people around here just couldn;t believe that I didn’t kill it. They thought I was actually “crazy”, well they are probably right, but it wasn’t the snake’s fault that I was bitten. It was my fault and the poor snake should not have died.
Anyway, I spent 2 days in the hospital and received 4 vials of Antivenin.
I am on the road to recovery, but a bit concerned about my psyche.. I now tend to avoid some humans and have a desire to explore dark warm gaps.
Enjoy a wonderful Birthday with Family and Friends.
Bob
7. August 2012 at 4:24 pm
Happy Birthday Shawn!!! Did you enroll in AARP? Me Either! Always the best from you. You have been blessed with an extraordinary family! Thanks for putting out positive stuff in this world of ours. You make this a better (Dare I say Perfect?) place! You are a gift to us all!
7. August 2012 at 7:01 pm
How great. Just wished my daughter a happy birthday. And got to read your blog. Happy birthday to you too. Thanks for your contributions
8. August 2012 at 12:10 am
loved the paragraph found it to be very true of what’s been going on in my mind of late since I’ve made the decsion to do the bfl and stick to it til the end… The start of my perfect world..:)