When I chose the subject (Perfection) to write the November 2024 Poem of the Month, I thought I had a clear picture in my mind about what perfection is/was. But no, the more I studied other people’s definition of the word, the muddier my image became.

So many of the philosophical comments on the subject boiled down to this: Perfection is not attainable, but striving for it can bring the seeker to excellence. And others suggested that if perfection could be reached, it would be a boring and dull existence.

What would one do in his or her life if perfection was already reached? There would be nothing new to learn and be amazed by or excited about…

Yet, many of us grew up in a time when we were encouraged to reach perfection in all of our activities — academic, athletic, social, emotional — you get the drift. If I had followed all the advice received on how to live a perfect life, I’d probably be locked up somewhere!

So, in striving for perfection, I am happy to be aiming for excellence… or very good… or acceptable. It makes my life much more exciting and interesting. I will never reach perfection!

Thank God!

PERFECTION

So, what is perfection? Is it attainable?
Are we to go through life pursuing an impossible goal?
The journey never ends because we are always “on the way,”
Seeking our own perfection… that’s how we roll!

“Do it this way!” “No, do it like this!”
From birth we are subjected to others’ paths to perfection.
Well-meaning “teachers” share their knowledge (show the way);
Until we find our own path, our own direction.

Since each person’s ideas around what’s perfect differ greatly,
We’d say the concept of perfection is subjective.
If you’re always seeking perfection, you’ll never be content.
Truthfully, is that how you want to live?

Salvador Dali said, “Have no fear of perfection —
You’ll never (ever) reach it (by the way).”
Aiming for “perfect” will bring failure every time.
Progress is much more important anyway.

Don’t let your want for perfection turn into
Procrastination out of fear of failure.
The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement,
So strive for improvement, which I’m sure you’ll prefer.

Rather than grasping what you believe to be perfection,
Stay loose and enjoy the things you learn along the way.
It’s thought that there are two kinds of perfect:
The one you can never achieve and the one you live every day.

And when you stop expecting others to be perfect (in your eyes)
You will be able to like them for who they really are.
Beauty and ingenuity beat perfection every time.
Love yourself as you are — you are spectacular!

During this election year, it feels as though kindness is in minimum supply… and as it draws closer to Election Day, the need for kindness is even greater!!! 

So, I brought along, or borrowed from, a few “friends” who believe(d) strongly in the need for kindness in the world, and who willingly and generously offered their opinions on the subject.

I believe that kindness is love in action, and that the words “kindness” and “love” can be used interchangeably.

I hope you enjoy the poem, and remember: Whatever the question, love is always the answer.

KINDNESS

It’s said that we think too much and feel too little.
Does thinking get in the way of being kind?
Not so, if one believes the words of some people
Whose kindness matches the wisdom of their mind.

ALBERT EINSTEIN, in sharing what gave him courage
To face life cheerfully (perhaps discovered in his youth)
Which lighted his way throughout his life,
Are the ideals of kindness… and beauty and truth.

BUDDHA: When words are both true and kind,
They can change the world (he does report).
Platitudes are not truth… they’re only words.
Without compassion and kindness they fall short.

Constant kindness can accomplish much.
ALBERT SCHWEITZER likens it to the sun melting the ice.
Misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility can evaporate.
With the rays of kindness, communication is nice.

Do your little bits of good from wherever you are.
Kindness comes in all sizes, large and small, it’s true.
Those little bits of good, when put together,
Overwhelm the world, according to DESMOND TUTU

ELISABETH KUBLER-ROSS says a person’s greatest need
Is real, unconditional love from others around.
A simple act of kindness towards people who need help
Will serve to restore them back onto level ground.

Human kindness, according to FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT,
Has never weakened the stamina of anyone, or
Softened the fiber of a free people.
Cruelty is not a sign of toughness anymore.

MAYA ANGELOU shared her wisdom regarding kindness:
People will forget what you said ( — even with zeal);
They will forget what you did ( — the actions you’ve taken);
But they will never forget how you made them feel.

The simple religion of the DALAI LAMA requires
No need for a temple or complicated philosophy.
Your own mind, you own heart, is the temple.
Simple kindness is your guidance, don’t you see?

Love and kindness are never wasted.
They make a big difference in everyone’s lives.
BARBARA DE ANGELIS says they bring two blessings:
To the one who receives them, and the one who gives.

Kindness is doing the very best you can,
From where you are (you need not move across town),
With what you have (it is enough).
In a few simple words, make kindness a noun.

September 2024 Poem of the Month’s subject is near and dear to my heart, and something the world, and all it’s peoples, have not experienced to any degree over the past few weeks, months, years!!!

And that subject is OPTIMISM!

Was it Covid that put a damper on our good old “Can Do” attitude? Was that the final thing that tried to show us that no matter what we did, we weren’t going to win? Was Covid the undoing of the proverbial camel whose back was broken? Was it Covid that put a pall of pessimism on the peoples of the world?

So, what are we going to DO about it? Are we going to lie down and be sad and accept that the world has gone to hell in a hand basket?

Changing our attitude from pessimistic to optimistic is the first step to changing not only the way we see the world, but the world itself. Andre Henry, award winning musician, writer and activist, shares this wisdom: “History and data have convinced me that change, from the bottom up, is possible. I’m hopeful because history is a story we’re writing together, not something happening to us — which means we all get a say in how the story ends.”

The 14th Dalai Lama tells us, “Optimism doesn’t mean that you are blind to the reality of the situation. It means that you remain motivated to seek a solution to whatever problems arrive.”

He also said, “Choose to be optimistic. It feels better.”

I hope you enjoy the poem.

And, remember: Whatever the question, love is always the answer.

OPTIMISM

It’s said that optimists are the architects of progress;
They navigate adversity with hope and determination.
Optimism deals with prospects… with what can be;
It’s a catalyst for good results in every situation.

Optimism is not a belief that things will automatically improve,
But a conviction that we can improve on the way things are.
You do not need to wait for conditions to be just right.
Just jump right in and do the work, and start from where you are.

Optimism is a strategy for making a better future
For yourself, your community, your country. Although,
Unless you believe that the future can be better,
You’re not likely to expend any effort for making it so.

The best way to not feel helpless is to get up and do something.
Pessimism leads to weakness, while optimism leads to power.
Don’t wait for good things to magically happen to you.
Colin Powell says, ”Perpetual optimism is a force amplifier.”

And finally, we hear from our old friend, Willie Nelson.
It’s aimed at children, and also at adults:
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones,
You can’t help yourself from having positive results.”