Understanding Perfection

“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” – Abraham Lincoln

Understanding Perfection

I was following my friend Dave Zitting up a steep and winding mountain road in the late afternoon sun.  We were headed to a construction site.  His construction site; he was taking me to see the new home he was creating for his family.

When he nosed his car to the north, I followed suit.  I got out and walked over to where he was standing.  His face was completely overtaken by the largest smile I had ever seen, as he began to describe his vision of the “drive.”  You see, what was there at that moment was mostly dirt with a few scattered rocks.  And, due to his exuberant vision, I saw much more than that.  I was entranced by the beauty and echo of what was about to be.  Dave didn’t know it then, but he was giving me a perfect lesson about the law of constant and intentional work.

Many people live their lives as if they’re drifting on an open sea.  They seem to float from project to project or job to job without ever coming to understand the necessity of perseverance and commitment.  These two traits act as the cornerstones of true happiness and success.  It takes a long days and years of work combined with commitment to that work for the roots of true success to become established.

This traditional law, constant and intentional work, stands as a value in stark contrast with attitudes common in today’s world.  Many seem to believe that everything is disposable.  And, when something they hope for begins to become too much of a burden, they simply grow tired of it and throw it out, thinking that something new and shinier will fill the empty void they feel inside.  While there is value in changing one’s scenery on occasion, abrupt changes can also leave a cavernous remorse in their wake.

I was still listening to Dave and coasted along in his wake while he taught me.  “These rocks were individually selected for this location!  They’ll extend out this way.  We’ve spent the last year making sure they were the right fit.”  He chirped.

Here’s what I heard Dave teaching:

Take time.  There are times when we all get tired and just want to be finished.  But, when you’re building an extraordinary life, you have to recognize that you’ll never really be finished with yourself.  My friend Mark Jackson calls this the “understanding of perfection.”

The understanding of perfection is simply the concept that no person is ever finished growing.  It doesn’t matter if you live to fifteen or one hundred-fifteen, take the view that you’ll never really be a finished product.  Get comfortable with the idea that time is a tool allowing you to continue to grow.  So, take time just as you would a pick up a shovel and use it to craft your best every day.

Be patient.  Now that you understand that perfection isn’t a destination, become patient with your progress.  Focus on constancy as your objective.  As long as you are constantly working, you’re enjoying the process of perfection.  This will allow you to stay focused on your intention without becoming discouraged.

Be intentional through planning. Dave didn’t just drive up the mountain with me and snap his fingers to create the structure that stood before us.  He worked, with others, to craft a detailed plan.

“Do you see this old fashioned, kilned brick?  They’re made differently than bricks are today.  And, look at the grout between the bricks.  We added lye to the mixture to get that exact look.”  He said excitedly. 

The result displayed before me was exceptional.  It was a monument to the law of constant and intentional work!

I gave one more glance to Dave silhouetted against beauty and craftsmanship.  The nose of my car was winding and gliding toward my next meeting.  “Constant and intentional work!” I said to myself. 

It was late in the day, but I was rejuvenated by Dave’s example of inspired, intentional living.  I drove on vowing to intend to live every day from now on.

And, when I need a little help?  I’ll drive up that mountain again, because I know Dave will be there, creating something magnificent.  Something to take by breath away!