I’m calling this Sermon “Real, Kind Progress” because I want to take two mindsets that are pervasive and detrimental in our culture and offer you an alternative. Those two mindsets are the all or nothing mentality and perfectionism.
In her book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott speaks about perfectionism:
“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.”
? Anne Lamott
So today we're going to unpack these mindsets and explore kinder, gentler and still very effective ways to move and be moved towards progress.
xo,
E