There is a huge blank wall of a new house. Freshly painted, the aroma of paint still lingering in the room. Everything is perfect, the interiors, the lighting, the furniture and fixtures, the drapes, the blinds. Reema is on top of the world and feeling joyous.
After Reema and her hubby Vinod move in and are in the process of settling down, Reema notices a small patch or to say an oily blotch on the wall. Her heart is in her mouth and she gives out a loud screech….how did this happen? She frantically calls for the painter to fix it, but as luck would have it, the painter announces, it can not be fixed. If we try to patch up that part, it will stand out, else you’ll have to do the entire wall – not worth the trouble after all. Let it remain.
The perfectionist in Reema, is totally unsettled, feeling restless, irritable, snapping, shouting.. Her hubby is totally relaxed, going about his work. Isn’t this blotch bothering you? How can you be so calm? It is our dream house, we took so much care of every detail…don’t you feel bad?
Vinod takes Reema to the wall and says, darling, look at the huge wall. It’s such a beautiful wall. The painting made by you, is adorning the wall and adding volume to it. The plant adding to the decor of this room. Why are you holding on to that tiny blotch in the huge wall. Look at the other parts of the wall, and the house, expand your outlook, change your perception of seeing things, look at the larger picture. Will that blotch come in the way of our leading a happy life? Will it take away your right to go about your work? It will remain a silent spectator, let it be …
It is a light bulb moment for Reema, who realizes, problems are always there and remain as they are. It is our outlook or attitude of moving on powerfully and finding a solution to it, instead of holding on to it. “It is in us to think practically and change our perception to focus on the larger framework of life”, she said. She placed a huge plant to camouflage the blotch on the wall. She slowly realized the futility of her being a perfectionist. She became aware of herself, caught herself in the act of being perfect and is still practicing the art of letting go… 🙂
Does this story ring a bell for you? How many times do you try to achieve perfection in anything that you take up? Would love to hear from you.
DeepikasRamblings 