Perfection: overrated, underappreciated

Mothers will never tell you this, but some much- praised personality qualities are over-rated; so the Fairy Blogmother must set you straight. One such quality is the highly-rated but never attainable: "Perfection." Parents and teachers are quick to encourage children to aim for it. "How perfect." "Try to be perfect." "Almost, but not quite perfect." Ever hear those utterings? They're probably the most frustration -producing words ever received. But ever hear the flip side? "Oh, isn't she just so perfect?" "Mr. Perfect makes us all look bad." "Isn't it just sickening how he's always perfect."

Of course those who achieve any measure of "it" are often resented and scorned by their peers while their superiors heap on the praise. I think it's safe to say that people in general admire a job done well, but in reality they love to see others stumble a bit. It makes one seem all the more human and thus easy to relate to.

The Fairy Blogmother advice then is don't ever try to attain perfection in anything you do. Do a good job, enjoy what you're doing, you can even try to do better, and you can work at something with passion. But as soon as you find the word: "best" creeping into your thoughts, take a U-turn. Either that or you'll find it very lonely on that pedestal you've climbed onto.