The Pursuit of Perfectionism

We get inspiration from the strangest places, don’t we?

Have you ever seen a little hand-beaded vintage handbag? You know, the ones that proper Victorian ladies would carry with then? They have the most beautifully intricate designs woven into them - floral patterns and geometric shapes. Such incredibly meticulous craftsmanship – perfection!

Well, almost.

Have you ever seen one with an odd and very out of place white bead somewhere in the pattern? Could the expert craftswoman who made this delicate beauty have made such a mistake?

I’ve heard a few different explanations for that little white bead, but by far, my favorite is this: In an effort to remain humble in the creation of such a perfect work of art, the artist would place one tiny white bead, completely out of place somewhere in the pattern, to remind herself of her humanity.

For the person with perfectionistic tendancies (like me), life can be a challenge. I drive myself (and others) crazy sometimes in my pursuit of perfection. Because, of course, perfection can’t really be achieved. That’s when the pursuit of it can border on illness.

So to deliberately “leave a white bead” somewhere (like a messy sock drawer – thanks Unclutterer!) reminds me that I don’t have to be perfect - that I can’t be perfect!

What a relief!

How do you embrace that "white bead"?