Sweet Sweet Canyon

Are you a “Destination” person or a “Journey” one?

I myself am a “Journey” girlie, with a healthy dose of self-awareness and realism, I will happily throw myself off a cliff to find myself flying alongside the birds, bouncing on the fluff of the clouds and maybe even taste them to once and for all confirm they are not cotton candy on my way down. I’ll have a few broken bones after, but I’d have enjoyed every second leading to them.

As humans, we often seek perfection in our lives. We want everything to be just right, no blemishes, no imperfections. We strive to live a life without any regrets, to never make mistakes, which, I’m sorry to tell you, (NEWSFLASH < in young Dokota Fanning’s voice) is impossible to find. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald ruminates on the concept of the perfect life in his book “The Perfect Life”. (Obviously). He claims that he would like to suffer, but only if it is for something worthwhile. He wants to commit great sins rather than waste his time doing anything small. The statement might sound paradoxical at first glance, but it actually reveals a profound truth about the human experience and I relate to it deeply.

Life is not perfect, and it never will be. We all face challenges and hardships. Some of which we may choose to take on willingly, but the key is to find meaning in those struggles, to find something worth suffering for. 

Months ago, by the end of 22’, I was presented with an opportunity that guaranteed pain, heartbreak and “suffering” down the road and I swiftly skipped into it with a big smile on my face. That is what brings me here today. I am currently reaping what I sowed, the “suffering” has officially begun. Do I regret it? Not one bit. But have I been asking myself why/how I did this to myself? Yes, and F. Scott (my buddy buddy) finally reminded me.

It is also important to remember that we are human, we are fallible. We will make mistakes, we will have moments of weakness. But what matters is how we respond to those moments. Pay attention to your answers when you start furiously questioning yourself about the whys and the hows. Take a moment to reflect, to remember, go back a few steps to the same shoes you wore that one day/night you decided to jump into the “crisis” that brought you here. Have some compassion towards yourself the same way you do towards others.

As for having big sins, as F. Scott advocates, it’s not about indulging in immoral behavior… but about taking those kinds of risks and living life to its fullest. The kind of sins that affects you personally, and not anyone who isn’t in on it. It’s about pursuing the thrill, even if it means making short-term, transient mistakes along the way… as long as we do so with integrity, transparency and respect for others, there’s nothing to worry about. 

Also, it’s worth noting that perfection is subjective. What one person perceives as perfection may not align with another’s idea of it. In my case, F. Scott described it perfectly. 

“I’d like my life to be perfect. I’d like to suffer, if I could find something worth suffering for, and I’d like to never do anything low or small or mean, but just have big sins.” 

*chef’s kiss* 

In conclusion, while a perfect life may be an admirable goal, it’s not one I’m after. Life is messy and imperfect and that’s what I love most about it. So, let’s embrace our flaws and imperfections, live boldly and passionately, find the humor in our failures and live life to its fullest, crises and all!

Peace out my lovelies, 

Make mistakes! If you want…

FFB