Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Fighting the "perfect standard".
I agree with the thought that most people wait for the "ideal moment" to start community service or something else that is challenging. Personally, the tendency to put things off for a more convenient time has always been a failing of mine; I never feel prepared or "good" enough to start something I anticipate will be difficult. If it is something that is particularly important to me than I feel even more of a pressure to be flawless and perfect in accomplishing the job or assignment. Unfortunately, I have let the "perfect standard" affect my decisions and actions. I believe that my perfectionist tendencies have held me back from speaking up for a cause I feel for and other things I might have attempted, simply because I don't want to represent my beliefs poorly and cause others to misjudge the issue because of my human flaws. Failing has always been my biggest fear, and it is something I have to continually fight. It is helpful to know that those who have largely influenced our history were also unsure and struggled with things. I was surprised to read that Martin Luther King Jr. had a difficult time in philosophy class, as his speeches were very philosophical in nature. It is encouraging to realize that the very things Mr. King struggled with eventually became one of his greatest assets, which is why I believe the author included that detail. I believe that I need to make more of an effort to not live by the "perfect standard" and take more action helping my community and supporting my beliefs, the theme of this chapter remind me of a quote I would like to share: "Evil prevails when good men do nothing". We cannot expect our community to change for the better without acting.
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I agree with you about not wanting to fail at things and being afraid to speak out at times. However, what if something you have to say could make a huge difference? I believe we are all going to grow to be able ot not be afraid to speak out. We are all human and all have flaws. Just like the book said even Martin Luther King Jr. struggled. But I believe we almost become to comfortable with what we can be perfectionists at that we lose that sense of urgency to help with other things. Page 47 in the book was pretty much saying that we cannot leave it up to other people to step up for us and get involved with the community. I say we do away with the perfect standard and start living a life where we do not have the fear of being wrong but where we are willing to take that risk.
ReplyDelete- CHRISTIANA-
Your statement shows a very honest and thoughtful reflection of why you have delayed community service. As the writer states, many people like you and I might not fit in the "perfect standard" but we can still make a huge difference in our community. It only takes a little action in order to spread this idea and more people will follow.
ReplyDeleteI can completely understand when you say failing is your biggest fear. It is mine as well. I don’t want to wake up 30 years down the road and think "what have I done with my life?!" I try everyday to make sure that doesn’t happen, living each moment as it comes and trying not to see the negative in anything. I don’t have a problem anymore speaking out, but I can be reserved because I feel, as you do, that I may not do my thoughts justice. My head is always swimming with ideas and thoughts, so much so that I feel they start meshing together and crashing and burning before they even get a chance to become viewed. I truly enjoy writing as my outlet as it becomes very easy for me to rant away, telling my feelings and thoughts as they come. Find your medium so you don’t feel your thoughts went to waste. The person that holds you back the most is yourself. =)
ReplyDelete-Jeremy