Our flaws or imperfections make us unique, interesting and beautiful. Life would be boring if everyone looked the same, acted the same, believed in all the same things, drove the same car, and lived in the same-looking house, no? We'd just look like a bunch of robots. Boring!
Take scars for instance. I've treated many clients with scars. These scars may be from injuries, surgeries, or other traumas. Many people are self-conscious about them and see them as ugly. I see them as beautiful. There is always a story behind the scar; a story rich in character and context which says the person is human and real.
They have lived and survived and their bodies have healed. Scars are like tattoos, which I love. People usually have stories or meanings behind those too. Even if it's just something they like, it still tells me something about them. For instance, I have a tattoo on my shoulder blade which I got as a celebration of turning 40.
I don't have any major scars, but when I look at the minor ones around my body, they remind me of fun I've had or dumb things I did as a kid. A friend of mine has a scar on her throat from having her thyroid removed due to cancer. I know that she feels self-conscious about it, but I think it's beautiful. She is a survivor.
My husband has many nicks on his head, which are easily seen when he shaves it. He can remember some of the crazy things he did as a kid to get them. My son has a large scar on his hip from when he had cancer at age one. I remember that story. It was not an easy time, but my family is stronger and more beautiful to me for it.
When my son was sick, I thought "I'm trying to help people heal naturally, how can I have faith in the natural methods when my own son needs chemotherapy?" But I realized both traditional and holistic medicine have their strengths and sometimes a more aggressive treatment is necessary. I couldn't heal him myself and I felt helpless, frustrated....flawed.
But because of this experience I have been able to help so many more people who have gone through tough times...simply because I can relate. It has allowed me to understand and have compassion for the person dealing with the health issue as well as appreciate how it affects the family and others close to the person. Without that "flaw" in my life, as well as others, I may have missed being able to connect with and help others.
I certainly wouldn't want to relive that time, but I'm glad I can take something away from it that can be a blessing to others. When we have scars, flaws, or "imperfections" on our bodies or in our life circumstances, others can relate to us easier. We become real, human, and in some ways, kindred spirits.
Action
I say rejoice in the name of victory and survival and lessons learned, and wear your scars and flaws proudly. When someone or someone's life looks perfect, remember that she has gone through something at some point. Sometimes those who look like they have it all together really don't. You may not know the details, but everyone has issues and everyone lives in this imperfect world trying his best to live a happy life.
As individuals we are unique but also share in the common bond of imperfection. Perfection is over-rated. Real people who have lived life and are still here to share their beautiful stories add to the rich tapestry of the human experience. Each "flaw" holds the power to inspire, comfort or educate. As with many things in life, it's a matter of perspective.
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