Honouring The Imperfect
Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11:40 PM
It was towards the end of our time in Marrakesh that I experienced one of ‘those’ moments. The moments when with every fibre of my being I think, ‘It was worth coming all this way just to see (or hear) that!’
Maryam, our über-talented hostess, was discussing imperfection. She explained that the Moroccan people (and Muslims in general) believe nothing is perfect except God. Since we’re all flawed, then, striving for perfection is pointless. It can only ever lead to disappointment because we’re chasing the impossible. Instead, the imperfection of things made by humans - be they pots or decisions - should be embraced.
This thought alone makes me exhale deeply, my shoulders drop, my lips curve into a smile, my mind settle into a more tranquil place. How wonderful. How liberating. How comforting.
But…. here‘s the best bit. To honour this way of thinking, Maryam has deliberately laid one tile the wrong way round in every bathroom at Peacock Pavilions (see the picture above).
Friends, when I heard this, my heart soared. Soared and sang! As an incorrigible perfectionist, I need constant reminders to let go of crippling, stultifying, dizzyingly high standards….reminders that tell me flawed doesn’t necessarily equal bad. To actually build those reminders into the fabric of your surroundings is, I think, a stroke of genius!
Over the coming months, then, I plan on finding ways to incorporate a few reminders into my own rooms and spaces. And for that particular idea, it was absolutely worth going all the way to Morocco and back.
Reader Comments (5)
oh, this is fabulous! love, love, love this story, this embrace of imperfection. i was reading your post thinking 'yes, yes, yes!'. i know what you mean about your heart soaring and singing...this is brilliant!
i'm wondering how to bring this into my own spaces...hmmmm.
I've heard that same idea - and manifestation of it - before, in things like Native American beadwork. I love it, and I haven't thought about that concept in years. Thank you for sharing this; between your post and Goddess Leonie's recent one about quitting perfection, I think I'm getting the message!
I hope you enjoyed Morocco. I didn't make it to Marrakech, but I was in Fes and Rabat a few months ago and loved it.
I love this, Helen... I love the idea of the perfect found in "imperfection," like the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi . I'm a recovering perfectionist too, actually. Such perfection hang ups I used to have, mostly in regards myself, my art, my being, etc. For the past year I've been working on this... It's so liberating to relinquish one's self from the shackles and be free with what is. :o) This was so lovely & inspiring... Thank you! :o) ((HUGS))
What an interesting description: " a recovering perfectionist". I think I fit that category too! Thank you for sharing - perhaps you should start a self-help group.... x
Wonderful story! And what a beautyful imperfect bathroom floor!