A few weeks ago a friend/mentor/pseudo-dad (I don’t know what to call this person but they are a very important person in my life) sent me this poem in an email.

I have to say it is one of the best poems I have ever read. I don’t know who wrote it (and can’t seem to find the answer to this) but I do know that it shares a very important message.

Perfection is impossible. We are all extremely imperfect and that is not only okay, but that is wonderful.

I encourage you to think of this poem whenever you are being too hard on yourself to be perfect or are criticizing yourself. Think of this poem and proudly wear your crown.

 

Queens and Kings of Imperfection

We are queens and kings.

It might not seem
Like we are queens and kings,
But look carefully
    And see,
Gloriously crowned,
Beautifully inept,
Marvelously imperfect,
Queens and Kings of Imperfection.

We leave perfection
To the few
    Who seek
        what cannot be attained.
    Who desire
        what cannot be given,
    Who yearn for
        what cannot be achieved.

And we accept
    Our crowns of imperfection.

We offer this crown to you,
For it is the crown of truth
    And joy
    And laughter,
    And wonder,
    And freedom
    From the tyranny
    Of trying to be
        What can never be,
            was never meant to be,
                and will never be.

Wear your crown with joy
And rein with the freedom to:

Run in the wind,
But come last in the race.

Write poetry,
Without any need to publish.

Dance,
With neither grace nor rhythm.

Sing opera,
Without a tune.

Play baseball,
But never hit a home run.

Teach,
But not perfection.

And love,
    Not just the best in you,
    But the sad, weak, discouraged,
    And sorry parts, too.

It might not seem
Like we are queens and kings,
But look carefully
    And see,
Gloriously crowned,
Beautifully inept,
Marvelously imperfect,
Queens and Kings of Imperfection.

 

Try today giving yourself permission to be imperfect and orders to not criticize yourself.

~Miranda