For a long time, I did my best to hide my imperfection, sometimes even from myself. Then, a few years ago, a teacher introduced me to the idea of paying attention to myself as if I were my friend. She taught me to simply notice my thoughts and motives and actions, without judging or condemning. I practiced. The more I practiced, the more clearly (and compassionately) I could see my imperfection. Now I don’t try so hard to hide it (which saves me a lot of time and energy).
“[We are] hard on ourselves because we are not yet the people WE think we ought to be. . . . God knows we are not perfect. . . . Imperfection is part of the deal. . . . [K]now you are imperfect. Face it. Embrace it. Stop hiding imperfection.” Br. John Braught
“Then the Lord God called to [Adam], ‘Where are you?’ And he said, . . . ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’” Genesis 3:9-10