Would You Rather Be Flawed Or Perfect?

"None of us are perfect. Let us not pretend that we are. Let us not be afraid that we're not. Let us not label others and pretend we are not the same. Let us all know that to be human is to be flawed, and let us learn from every mistake made so that we don't make them again."

Cecelia Ahern, author of Flawed

I've been super inspired by a book I've just finished reading, Flawed by Cecelia Ahern. It's about a dystopian society where, as well as a criminal justice system, there is also an ethical justice system where those who have done something against the will of society are judged to be flawed. It's a society where it's important to be seen to be perfect and dangerous to make any kind of mistake, including helping those who have already been labelled as flawed. 

Mmm....does this sound a little familiar? I have to admit there were quite a few themes in the story that resonated with me because I see hints of them in our society:

The sense people have that they have to be perfect to be acceptable.
The idea that we can't make mistakes, that mistakes make us less than human. 
The way we label and judge others because of our own insecurities.
The way our world humanises objects, as is done in advertising and dehumanises people.
That compassion is an important key to our humanness. 

I think the important message this book is trying to convey, and with which I totally agree, is that we only learn and grow by making mistakes. Our mistakes and our flaws are our humanity and our uniqueness.

I say that to be flawed is to be truly beautiful, real and authentic. My request to you, go out into the world, do your thing, and know that it's totally okay if you make some mistakes. 

 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please feel free to add some comments. 

 

If you are looking for some more reading, then find out how to be more powerful or get some inspiration from the story of a man who thought long-term rather than short-term.