Originality

"There is no such thing as imperfection, just originality."

-- Gina La Morte. Boho Magazine. Inaugural Issue. Fall 2008.

Boho is a fashion magazine. Fashion mags aren't my usual source of wisdom, but Boho is different. It bills itself as "fashion's first eco magazine." There's even an article in the inaugural issue on the near and dear to my heart practice of thrift store shopping. Gina La Morte is the founder/publisher/editor, and she's not about to try and remold every woman on the planet into some sort of Barbie doll look alike. Instead she wants each woman to use her uniqueness as the basis for her style. And so....

It's not really such a giant leap from fashion style to lifestyle to personal style to your soul. You, whether you be woman, man or child, are also an original. Just like everybody else. It's the paradox of uniqueness and specialness -- you're unique and special, and so is everyone, so don't let it go to your head!

But, even more importantly, don't let external standards of perfection take root in your head. You don't have to look like, act like or be like anyone else. And if you try, you'll fail miserably. We don't need no stinkin' clones! We need you, in all your frizzy-haired, crooked-nosed, whiney-voiced, idiosyncratic glory!

Right across from my bed is a framed poster by an artist named Corita Kent, who is, or was, a nun. It's a print of a large, bright water color that just says "I love you very much." Now, I've never meant Corita Kent, but if she's a first rate nun, she probably does love me very much, just like she loves everybody else in the world.

But when I wake up and see the poster first thing every morning, I'm not usually thinking of the good sister; I'm reading the words to myself. "I love you very much," I say to myself right out loud. Sometimes I even add my name, "I love you very much, David" I say, so as not to confuse myself or anyone else within earshot. Oh, I know, it's so damn corny as to be downright embarrassing, but I do it anyway.

Sometimes I even add God into the mix. "I love you very much, God," I say. And then in my best James Earl Jones, God-like voice, "I love you very much, too, David," says God. Before I even get out of bed we've got a little, cosmic lovefest going, and I'm cracking myself up. It's a great way to start the day!

And what do my morning shenanigans have to do with you and originality and perfection? Just that there was a time in my life when I though the "perfect" way to start the day was with 45 minutes of straight-backed, oh-so serious meditation. I still love to meditate, but now I do it on the "as the Spirit moves me" schedule rather than on a rigid Zen schedule. How can I find my original face, if I can't even enjoy an original practice?

And so, today, is a great day for you, too, to give up your perfection obsession. Look in the mirror and laugh. Damn you're different! Ain't nobody like you. And that's a good thing, a wonderful thing. You, a 100% original. Perfect in your imperfection. WOW!