From Perfection to Perfect Imperfection
As we move into colder weather, I find myself spending more time indoors. Sitting in a comfortable chair with a hot cup of cocoa is a good time for reflection, and there is much to reflect upon.
On one hand, there was so much to celebrate! We could not be more thrilled with the support of this community that understood the value of our work and helped us raise the funds necessary to renovate the former Rendezvous Restaurant. Our new facility helps equip us to better serve our members and the whole community. We celebrated with a donor open house last Tuesday and continue to feel the glow of community joy.
On the other hand, Tuesday also saw us closing the Vous Cafe until further notice. The complexities of our current economy, staffing concerns, and a deep desire to serve others in the very best way possible necessitated a pause as we reevaluate and prepare to use our kitchen and dining space to its greatest potential.
When things don't go exactly as we planned, we can fall into the trap of blame and shame. We can feel disappointed in our efforts and in ourselves. But the truth is, we didn't do anything wrong and we have nothing to regret.
In fact, we did everything perfectly based on the information we had at the time. The same can be said for every decision you have ever made. You did everything perfectly based on the information you had at the time.
At the same time, we understand that our knowledge and our ability to assess all things is incomplete and imperfect. We know that change for the better is always possible. That is the imperfection that you and I can also proudly claim in every moment.
In Japanese culture there is the philosophy of wabi sabi. Wabi sabi is all about accepting the imperfect and finding beauty in the flawed. It beckons us to strive for excellence but to let go of perfectionism.
It is not a value our society often recognizes. Instead, too many of us think we need to be perfectly perfect in every moment. And that is just too stressful and heavy a weight for anyone to bear. Thomas Curran, in his TED Talk, warns us that Our dangerous obsession with perfectionism is getting worse. And it is taking a huge toll on our mental health. He gently informs us that "life will defeat us" and encourages us to "celebrate the joys of imperfection."
At the Momentum Center, you will see us try many things. Some, like our capital campaign, will be wildly successful. Others will not gain the same traction. There will be stumbles, There will be human error. But we will learn from every effort. Then, with a wider perspective and a deeper understanding, we will try something a little different the next time.
I am excited to see what emerges at the Vous Cafe as we learn from all that went exceptionally well and the bits and pieces that could be even better. I feel the same way about every step of the adventure that continues to unfold at the Momentum Center where every aspect of our work is simultaneously perfect and imperfect.
Thank you for joining us in this experiment and for bringing your own perfect imperfection to the table. Together we will do really good things. And we'll try things that don't quite work out the way we planned. And then we'll try again.
Namaste,
Barbara Lee VanHorssen
Experi-Mentor
barbara@momentumcentergh.org
