What Happens When You Stop Pretending You’re Perfect
What if we stopped fighting ourselves?
What if we stopped trying to be perfect?
What if we stopped pretending we are perfect?
And gave ourselves a peek,
just a peek,
at some of the corners of our mind, our heart, our being?
And allowed ourselves a moment
to sit and be with those parts of ourself that we work so hard
at hiding, denying, ignoring...
Perhaps then,
we would have more energy
to simply breathe and be.
I wrote this the other day.
Let me know how it lands for you in you.
blessings,
paula.
****************
Go on.
Grant yourself a moment to hate yourself.
You do anyway.
but it’s hidden,
surreptitious,
insidious
and has been
for decades.
It stretches its slimy tentacles,
its sticky, icky fingers
into everything you are and do
keeping you from you,
keeping you from the bright success
that awaits and invites you
keeping you from the wonder and awe
truly keeping you
from all you truly are.
Beneath
behind
the calm and loving face and voice
lies a cauldron of resentment
bubbling
Go ahead:
Pour that hot miasma
onto your already burning skin and heart
Let them seethe and writhe
this time
out loud
Sit with them
where you can see and watch and hear
your curdling cries.
Stay with them.
Draw upon your well-practiced and attended
strength and courage
to stay
right
here.
Look them in the face
Be totally present with them
“Invite them in”
as Rumi offered.
As they feel welcomed,
they will release their death grip
on your Being.
They will release you
from the prison
where you have been held
and held yourself
for way too many years.
Watch the wrath unfold
and she will lead you
to wealth of selves untold
unimagined for the constraints
of Angry Eve’s banishment.
Be with her
as you set her free
in leaks and dribbles
and then waves
over time
erasing time.
Be with her
as you let her rest
in you
with you
now for you
instead of working against her,
instead of working against you.
Be with her,
as she transforms into your fiercest,
most loving advocate.
Watch her power turn
and face the mirror
to feel her
in you
as you
with you
for you…
Love her.
Too much?
Too bad.
She deserves to be held by you.
You deserve to hold her
and love her
and be with her.
Be with her…
and you will feel
the ease
the peace
the harmony of
Being
You.
Beautiful
Sacred
Divine
You.
©paulaksgardner, 2025.
p.s. I don't know where this statue is or who carved it, but I'd love to see it in person!
p.p.s. Here’s more about me: https://www.paulaksgardner.com/about-paula
And here’s more about our work: https://www.paulaksgardner.com/about-the-work
