image via hyperdashery
Last night, we were going through our evening routine and reading the kids their bedtime stories. My son had chosen Loretta, Ace Pinky Scout — a cute book, but by no means a Caldecott winner. Now, I’ve read this book at least three other times, but last night I actually took a lesson away from it.
The story is about Loretta, an ace Pinky Scout, who is good at everything. In fact, perfection runs in her family. It goes on to describe all of the fantastic things she succeeds at and the many, many merit badges she has earned.
In fact, she’s earned every merit badge in the known universe except the Golden Marshmallow Badge — where you have to roast a perfect golden marshmallow. Despite her rigorous training and holding her coat hanger at the perfect aerodynamic angle, Loretta’s marshmallow goes
FOOF!
And for the first time in her life, Loretta had failed.
Hanging her head in shame, she tells her grandmother how she has failed the family legacy. Her grandmother replies
”Well, girlfriend, stinking is part of life. Everyone stinks at something. Even me.”
Her grandmother goes on to confess that she never learned how to tie a bow. She used a clip-on.
Loretta’s great-aunt Lenore was a big hero but couldn’t start a campfire with a blowtorch.
Her great-great Granny Lanette used to save the world twice a week, but her hair was a mess.
There were more imperfect relatives, but you get the picture.
The lesson is that we all have to stink at something, and we can’t earn a merit badge in everything we do in life.
I want to earn the Best Mother to My Children Badge and the Most Loving Wife Badge and the Best Life Lived Badge.
I don’t mind stinking with the Cleanest House Badge or never earning the Kept in Touch with Everybody Badge or even the Successfully Kept Up with the Joneses Badge.
And I’m 100% okay with this.
Which merit badges do you want to earn? Which ones are you okay with never earning?
I am linking this post to Emily’s Chatting at the Sky, where everyone is sharing what they’re celebrating today.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Exactly the same as you! I couldn´t put it better. Whoever dies wishing they had done more housework?
Such a great post! I’d echo your list!
As a perfectionist with an unhealthy fear of failure, I love a good story that points me away from the impossible attempts at perfection and toward the beauty of a life simply lived to the fullest.
Mine would definitely be like yours! Housework is not a priority as much as being a good wife and mom!
I love this post! Having just written about perfection (and my constant search for it) yesterday, this is a great post for me to read. I love the badges you chose to want to earn. If I could pick badges to earn, I would like to win the “Most Loyal Friend Badge” or “Most Positive Outlook Badge.”
Great post and you know I’m struggling with this myself these days. Definitely the loving mother & loving wife badges, beyond that I have so much I want to accomplish I need to always be re-evaluating and prioritizing.
i love this post… the merit badges of life… of living, being so much more important than the things we can accomplish in life.
@ RML~
My sentiments exactly!
@ Jo~
I’m a recovering perfectionist, too. I’m not sure that I’ll ever be *cured*, but I’ll keep pushing on.
@ Chele~
There seems to be a lot of us, thinking alike.
@ PP~
If I was at all talented with photoshop, I’d make you your badges! ; )
@ Renee~
What’s funny is that I knew I was going to post about this topic, and then I read your post about being someone to everyone. (It was in the stars…)
@ Dawn~
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Some days I feel like I’m going to be lucky if I win the “Good Enough Mommy” Merit Badge!
Kirwin,
What a beautiful post. So many times we want perfection in all we do and I believe in our imperfection we are truly perfect. Our mind gives us so much grief about being real, being honest and being imperfect. I am passionate about people feeling good about themselves throughout their day. Giving themselves permission to “not do it all”, “not be it all” to “be enough” in all they do.
For me, my greatest lessons have come when I have been in my darkest hours, when I am not at my best and I give myself permission to tell myself the truth about the crazy expectations I have on myself. My blog is about giving ourselves permission to not do it all, not be it all and to love the moments of our life. I would love your comments on what you read. You can access it through my website.
Take care and be gentle on yourself.
Best,
Gerrianne
I enjoyed this post very much, Kirwin. I am positively awful about being tres hard on myself and demanding perfection (from myself) while not expecting it from others: geez, why don’t I cut myself some slack?
G and I are lucky because we both claim (and PROclaim) titles at our house. Amongst mine are: Queen of Potatoes (baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, hashed brown potatoes, au gratin potatoes, potato salad, etc.), Best Cheesecake-Maker Ever, Queen of Guacamole, Diva of Coleslaw — can you tell I like to cook?
I don’t know what I would want to win a merit badge for, but I don’t think it would include these: World’s Best Dishwasher or The Person with the Largest Social Circle.
What a great idea for a post Kirwin! Love it.
The (immensely humble) merit badges I’d like to get would be “World’s Best Family Member”, “The Global Best Partner Award”, “Biggest Positive Difference to the Planet Award” and “Made the Most Out of Life Before Pushing Up Daisies Award”.
I’m happy to forgo the “Obsessively empty email inbox award”, the “Most Toys Accumulated Award” or “Cleanest House on the Planet Award”.
that was a very nice post and so needed in our society - we are told to always be our best from the get go - It is okay not to be the best at everything. I mean, come on, a girl can only do so much!
badges I’d like to earn: the good mom badge (not perfect - good)
and loving wife badge.
I think we all want validation , but when it snowballs out of control, we have to look in the mirror now and then. Can mind be a little finger smudged ?
@ Erin~
I know that feeling. Like many moms, I’m sure you’re being too hard on yourself.
@ Chania Girl~
I like the titles that you already have. It sounds like you and G have a lot of fun together.
@ Sami~
Well, I’m glad to see you’re keeping it humble and all. LOL ; )
@ Denise~
I’m glad you liked the post. I think from now on, when I come across something that really doesn’t matter, I’m going to remind myself that “stinking at some things is okay.”
@ deb~
I think finger-smudged makes it more special.
I’m new to your blog, and am happy to have read this entry! I love the concept!
It actually reminds me of the movie “Up” that’s in theaters right now. If you’ve not seen it, do yourself a favor and do so! It’s really amazing.
I’m looking forward to learning more from your blog and getting to know you more!
Best,
Veronica
Moment-to-Moment Optimism
http://www.drrussbuss.com
@ veronica~
Welcome. I’m so glad you found my blog.
I haven’t seen “Up” yet. Thanks for the recommendation — Pixar never disappoints!
(I’m off to visit your blog!)