I read a blog about a week ago What We’re Made Of. The author, Samantha Taylor, describes how a diamond is made and her post really inspired me to write this one.

It’s amazing how we easily forget how it’s almost impossible to have instant success and just because we want things to happen when we decide it should happen, it doesn’t mean it will. This is something I used to personally struggle with. I wanted to be the best of the best and I wanted it to happen right away. It bothered me so much when my need for perfection got the best of me or things just didn’t happen right when I wanted them to. From my military career to my civilian career and even being a mother, I was always striving to be as close to perfect as possible and I really beat myself up when I wasn’t. Eventually, it forced me to take a step back and look at the big picture.

“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.”

Anne Lamott

I had to understand that it’s impossible to always be perfect. Having flaws and failing sometimes keeps you humble and some may call it sane. I have learned that my kids need to see me as not being perfect sometimes and owning my mistakes because they are in a society which has already built in high expectations and the pressure to be perfect. I’m not saying that I don’t have high standards for certain things because I do. According to my husband my standards are too extreme at times. However, I don’t want to forget how unique I am nor would I want my girls to forget their uniqueness either. I am a diamond in the rough.

After all of the time and work it takes for carbon to turn into a diamond, there isn’t one diamond that it perfect. They all have flaws, however, they are cut and buffed to near perfection. Some of the flaws are still visible while others aren’t as visible but the remnants are still there. Either way it’s still a diamond; always sparkling and beautiful, but one of the hardest substances on Earth.