Introduction
Do you know the difference between digital and analog? Digital is information interpreted as 1’s and 0’s, binary language. 
In art and music this gives the artist some amazing tools to create, edit and make uniform, symmetrical works. Many of you perhaps do not even remember a time when digital applications for art, education, and commerce were not available. You can change the off-pitch vocals of recordings, blur out skin imperfections on photos, and a whole host of other technical manipulations. There are amazing digital tools available. Analog refers to the actual sound waves created by an instrument or the pencil to paper drawing of the sketch artist. In the digital work mistakes or flaws can be edited out. With analog, it is what it is.
People and Nature are Analog
It may seem obvious that people are analog, flesh and blood beings. We are made with imperfections and are not symmetrical. 
In fact, if our faces were to be perfectly symmetrical, they would look funny. Digital avatars online are not the goal of how we should look, but rather a novelty of technology. Nature also is filled with asymmetry. Nothing digital can ever replace the beauty of what occurs in nature. Would we want it too? Sunsets fill us with stillness and wonder. Waterfalls with a sense of great energy and power. Yet when we look in the mirror, what do we see? Do we see a part of creation wonderfully and fearfully made by a Divine power? Or do we stay fixed on the imperfections?
A Lesson from Good Will Hunting
Have you seen the movie Good Will Hunting? In it there is a scene where the psychologist played by Robin Williams is speaking to the young brilliant delinquent Will, played by Matt Damon. Robin Williams, in describing the strange and weird things that happened between he and his late wife opens up on a very personal level with the young Will. He shares with Will that all the strange and weird little imperfections and idiosyncrasies are the good stuff that only they know about each other. He breaks the news to Will that he is not perfect and the girl he is interested in dating is not perfect either. None of us are perfect. We hope for and seek the best in life. Yet, we need to laugh at ourselves and be forgiving of ourselves and others when we fall short.
Perfectly Imperfect
There is a thrill and a beauty experiencing people who have mastered a skill or art. They make playing music, painting, or whatever their passion is seem effortless. The products of their crafts flow like an extension from their hands and their lips. They inspire us to reach for the stars. When we are watching these final results on video, or on a stage, what we don’t see is all the hard work that happened behind the scenes! The master painters Michelangelo and Monet didn’t pick up a brush for the first time and paint The Sistine Chapel or The Water Lilly Pond. There were thousands of lesser works and thousands of “mistakes” along the way. They were refined over time. We too must realize that becoming better people and living on even ground will take time and work to master.
Today’s video clip shows us the beauty of people’s imperfections. Dr. Max is a psychologist who is not a native English speaker. He shares openly his views on the idealism and illusions that grow out of perfectionism. His honest and transparent way embrace imperfections nobly.
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Dr. Max
Do you agree with Dr. Max’s viewpoint?
Does it inspire you to try something new you might be passionate about?
Do you tend to look at all the reasons a new project won't work out?
One thing Dr. Max says about creating his blog having less than perfect English struck me. He could have waited until he had taken more English classes or traveled more before giving it a shot. He decided to be courageous and start the English blog (which is not his first language, French is), with a far from perfect knowledge. He hopes that his being vulnerable about his imperfections will be an encouragement to others about theirs.
Moving from Ideas to Action
Moving from ideas to actions helps us accomplish our goals as we do the work in front of us. We are made to be in motion and acting on good ideas lifts our self-esteem. Something that has kept me from being proactive, more than I care to admit, is my sense of perfectionism. There is self-talk and old tape in my head about not being good enough. Some of the dialogue that blocks me has been:
No one wants to hear what I have to say.
I don’t have enough money.
Something will go wrong.
I have tried that before and failed.
What will my spouse (partner, mother, father, friend) think?
I’m not worthy of having success.
I used to work in a restaurant as a server and there was a thin metal cut-out sculpture of a tree that formed a dividing wall in the main dining room. When it was first put up in the remodel, one of the first things I noticed was the lack of leaves on the tree. What I didn’t notice was the good craftsmanship or beauty of the art, but only what was missing! I have struggled with these kinds of insecurities for much of my life. My alcohol and drug use only made those insecurities worse.
Conclusion
Perhaps you tend to focus on what’s missing or have this nagging sense that you will never be good enough or that your circumstances will never change. Seeing past the surface and into the core or heart of people is practicing compassion towards them. Overlooking flaws and imperfections within yourself is practicing compassion with yourself. You will gain confidence as you continue growing into sobriety. Just as the deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter, the Spring buds emerge and will grow into fully bloomed trees. Entering this new season of sobriety may be a bit startling and overwhelming. Remember, the Spring is coming. The resistance and challenges you face now are normal. Take it easy! What you have inside is worth hearing and sharing with others. The more you do, the more you will realize that we all are imperfect, and that’s ok.
Question for Reflection: When you are being flexible and forgiving of yourself and others, how does that change your perception of who you are?
Helpful Links
How to Be an Imperfectionist by Stephen Guise