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Seeing the Light

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Posted on September 1, 2018
2 min read
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Coming back to OA for the third time in over thirty years, I’m aware that one of the main things that gets in the way of my recovery is perfectionism. At times, my lack of “being perfect” can lead me to want to give up. What helps me accept myself as I am is remembering that only my Higher Power is perfect! Humans can only work at self-improvement and progress—not perfection.

I decided to give myself reminders of this around the house, starting with my kitchen ceiling. A set of two lights up there require special lightbulbs, and these special lightbulbs come in a few different styles. I like everything to match (a bit of perfectionism here) so I always tried to keep them the same. Despite my efforts, the last time a lightbulb needed replacing I only had one new bulb, and it didn’t match the other.

To honor my “trying to start accepting myself as I am,” I went against my natural leaning and left two different styles of bulbs in those two light fixtures. Not perfect—but good enough!

Nobody else really notices, but every time I look up, I smile because I’m reminded that things and people don’t have to be perfect to be good enough.

The bulbs may not match, but the light they shed on my recovery is brilliant.

— Terry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

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