Being good should be good enough.  Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that a little more often, don’t you think?  Striving to be perfect is okay, though we shouldn’t expect it.  My mom always told me one thing every day:  do your best.  She didn’t say BE the best.  She just challenged me to give it my all.  I didn’t realize what wise words those were. 

Now as I walk to German classes, I try to remember her lesson.  It doesn’t matter that my vocabulary isn’t as large as some of my classmates or that I can’t say the German “r” very well.  What matters is that I can speak to the old woman next door when she doesn’t feel well and asks me to stop sanding.  I can understand her, and she can understand me.  (!!)  

The secret is to gain appreciation for yourself, your home, and your life.  Enjoy these things for what they are, and strive to continue to be good, not perfect, and certainly not the best.  I love a quote by Greta K. Nagel.  She believes, “Usefulness is not impaired by imperfection; you can drink from a chipped cup.”

Of course, I tell you all these things like it’s completely easy and natural.  It’s not.  I’ve got the most ironic example for you.  I’m often asked how long I spend writing a poem.  Sometimes I’m very fast (it’s rare), and most of the time, I work on a poem in stages and return to it every few weeks.  There’s one poem that I just can’t get right, though.  I started it almost a year ago.  A high school friend told me about this great opportunity he had.  I felt bad for myself.  I felt like he was out changing the world like we had always talked about doing, and I wasn’t.  I sat down and started writing.  The bones of this poem are the same as they were that day.  Meanwhile, the details have changed a hundred times.  Now I’m going to try to let go and be totally okay with this poem as it is.  It’s time.

WHEN MY BEST
ISN’T THE BEST

Sometimes I feel indolent
like I’m a steady slug,
not racing on with progression–
a train who’s lost its chug.

I do not ace my algebra
or win the swimming meet.
No matter how intense I try,
I’m always getting beat.

Some kids at school are always better
at everything we do;
It’s tough to feel much pride when they
can always outshine you.

I try to always remind me
when times feel really tough:
I’m happy with the things I’ve done,
and that should be enough.