Perfection | Teen Ink

Perfection

April 3, 2015
By AvengeMyBrokenSong GOLD, WHOOP, New York
AvengeMyBrokenSong GOLD, WHOOP, New York
18 articles 0 photos 83 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;It takes more strength to cry at mid-defeat.&quot;<br /> -Susan Boyle<br /> &quot;The closer you get to the light, the bigger your shadow becomes.&quot;<br /> -Kingdom Hearts


Perfection.
It’s what we strive for.
Some believe it is their destiny.
Others, much like me, believe it is the world’s curse.


Sure, it can be a goal. We look to it for guidance, as a role model for how our lives should be lived, for information on how to handle certain situations. Yet for me, it is a cruel, twisted, sadistic black cloud and threatening my life with a torrentous, eternal thunderstorm.


Perfection daunts me everywhere I go. The people I see passing by reek of it; not a hair is out of place, and they ooze with confidence and clarity.


Like a viper eyeing its’ prey, it waits for the opportune time to lash out at me, when I’m weak, vulnerable, or most of all, happy.


One is led to wonder; why should I care? I don’t have to be perfect in order to live. I just need to be me. Yet when you’re sitting in a room full of tiny anorexic models, do you still feel that courageous? No.


It all comes down to your inner strength. It is more beautiful than the most perfect statue, more potent than the most perfect of medicines, more withstanding than the most perfect wall. What is inside you should not be taken for granted. It is your own, personal powerhouse, ready to fuel you when your perception begins to lag.


So would it be better to shun perfection altogether? Honestly, it does not do much good for a girl to start cutting the word into her thighs, a boy to repeat it over and over again as he ties his own noose, or for a convict to mutter it as he stares at the ceiling unable to sleep. What point is there?


My resolution? Shout it from the rooftops, scream it from the skyways. “I am flawed……………...And I am beautiful”.


The author's comments:

I am a complete perfectionist. This is more like an honest vent session than anything else. But it rings true for me.


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This article has 6 comments.


on Jul. 1 2015 at 11:07 pm
celticstudygirl PLATINUM, Vermilion, Other
23 articles 2 photos 44 comments
Nice piece about this topic. Even though I am not "perfect" by society's standards I think that I am perfect in my own way. I also think that everyone else is perfect in their own unique way.

on Jun. 28 2015 at 2:57 pm
gladinorsk SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I said to the LORD, &quot;You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.&quot; Psalm 16:2<br /> <br /> (I&#039;m not clumsy. I just do random gravity checks...Yep, still works!)

I struggle with perfectionism, so here is my view on the topic. (Hope this is an encouragement to somebody!) I believe I was made to desire perfection, to strive for it. This desire can be extremely destructive, as you have pointed out, or it can be a blessing. Let me explain... My desire for perfection is a hunger for the day when Christ will fully restore me, cleanse me, and finish transforming me into His perfect likeness. But I didn't always understand it this way. I misdirected my desire. Instead of letting Christ be my perfection, I tried to use works to achieve perfection in temporary things--image, grades, etc. Misusing the desire that God gave me to draw me to Him, I brought myself heartache, stress, and grief. Even still, I have to remind myself to look up, look up to where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. In short, perfectionism is a good thing...but ONLY when it relies on The Perfect One.

on May. 14 2015 at 7:40 am
AvengeMyBrokenSong GOLD, WHOOP, New York
18 articles 0 photos 83 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;It takes more strength to cry at mid-defeat.&quot;<br /> -Susan Boyle<br /> &quot;The closer you get to the light, the bigger your shadow becomes.&quot;<br /> -Kingdom Hearts

Wow, thank you:) My mantra is why write if your feelings aren't invited?^-^

on May. 13 2015 at 7:39 pm
GreekGoddess BRONZE, Andover, Connecticut
3 articles 0 photos 182 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The unprepared rebel dies in the fire."<br /> ~unknown

This piece was awesome and beautiful. About the writing: so much great and original imagery, very powerful. About the topic: I completely agree and I love the last line. Great job!

on Apr. 30 2015 at 10:18 am
AllSoPlayfulWhenYouDemonize BRONZE, Richmond, Virginia
3 articles 0 photos 228 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Our passion is our strength.&quot; <br /> -Billie Joe Armstrong

This is beautiful and oh so true!

on Apr. 9 2015 at 1:34 pm
BeautyWhispers PLATINUM, Nevada City, California
21 articles 0 photos 98 comments

Favorite Quote:
Be Yourself, Be Unique, Be Me. :) - By BeautyWhispers

That is beautiful Avenge!!!!! You are an amazing writer! Honestly I was expecting just another long set of words, but I was sucked in from the beginning and I found your piece amazing!