Are you one of those people who strive to accomplish your goals so perfectly that often it seems like the rest of your life is passing you by?

Maybe you want the cleanest house in the neighborhood, but when your child or grandchild wants to bake cookies, your only thought is, “It will mess up my kitchen!”

If this is you, I invite you to remember Salvador Dali’s quote, “Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it.”

What if you permitted yourself not to be perfect? What if you told yourself it was okay to aspire for your desires or results most of the time?

Can you see how your perfectionist self, filled with shame, worthiness issues, and self-doubt, might just lighten up a bit? Perhaps your feelings of inadequacy would vanish and be replaced with self-acceptance and more day-to-day joy in life.

Our lives result from what we do daily, but let’s make time each day to nurture ourselves, love ourselves, and cut ourselves a bit of slack. Remember part of our human journey is to experience life, not live a perfect one!

Imagine a freer, happier life if you only gave yourself the same compassion you would give a dear friend.