Waiting For Perfect

   

Do you have an ideal in your mind of what you want your team and your practice to be?  That's fine, it's great to have goals to work toward and a vision to aspire to.  But, are you waiting for things to be perfect before you can be happy and content?  I hope not.
    Most of the time, people and situations will fall short of our idea of what would be perfect.  We disappoint and we get disappointed.  I remember going to Florida on vacation with my parents when I was 14.  I had a vision of sandy, two lane roads lined with palm trees and a view of the beach out of every window.  I think I really expected the I-95 scenery to transform into exactly that as we crossed the line from Georgia into Florida.  Hey, what's a kid from New Jersey supposed to think?  Well, it wasn't like that at all.  It was a continuation of the same highway we'd driven for the past two days.  Disappointed?  You bet.  But, somewhere along the way I accepted Florida for what it was, which was actually pretty good, and really enjoyed the vacation. 
    Why do we sometimes have a hard time doing that with the people in our lives. Now, if you are in a really dysfunctional situation, of course you should actively be working to fix it.  I'm talking about practices that are staffed with people who really have good intentions and a desire to do well. I work with a wonderful group of people, but I have to admit, there are days when I focus more on what I wish they'd be and do, rather than appreciate what they are and what they give.  A sure recipe for frustration and a bad disposition.  Luckily, after a disgruntled few hours, I always see the goodness that was always there.  I work with imperfect people who are perfectly kind, generous and sincere.  Just like me.
    I think the thing that grounds me and me back to reality is considering the many ways that I likely disappoint others.  How would I want them to respond to me?  Uh huh, lends a little clarity to the big picture, doesn't it?
    The point is this:  it's great to keep moving forward and getting better and encouraging others to grow as well.  At some point, however, we have to learn to be content with what is. If we can not rest in our reality, pleased with what we have and satisfied with who we're with, we will not only be endlessly waiting for perfect, we will forever be waiting for contentment and happiness.  And time is slipping by.