The Three P's, Progress, Not Perfection: Antidote for Stress 11/5/12

      Hi there,
I'm bumping this up.  Many suffer from depression and look for counseling. If they applied what's posted below, they'd find relief for much of their mental stress.  Please let me know your thoughts. I wrote this last year, in March.  Here it is:

      It's encouraging hearing from you. Thanks for dropping by, where we share our Attitude of Gratitude.  This is where we

rejuvenate our hearts through praise. May you experience God's blessing as your heart is lifted up with thoughts that resonate with positivity.  You're investing in yourself when you post.  

          It makes my day seeing people interested in developing greater discernment in their relationships. It's heartening witnessing others delighting in this great big life God wants us to enjoy.

          Have you heard of the three P's?  They are perfectionism, procrastination and paralysis; they are related to each other, progressive and they go from bad to worse. 

          So, it's actually regression.  Perfectionism usually leads to procrastinating.  If I do enough of that, I become paralyzed.  This happens when my principles are overrun by the vulnerable areas of my personality, areas like fear, anxiety, resentment----you get the picture.  I find the following helpful:

I have yet to meet an absolute perfectionist whose life was filled with inner peace. The need for perfection and the desire for inner tranquility conflict with each other. Whenever we're attached to having something a certain way,better than it already is, we are, almost by definition, engaged in a losing battle.  Rather than being content and grateful for what we have, we are focused on what's wrong with something and our need to fix it.  When we are zeroed in on what's wrong it implies that we are dissatisfied, discontent.

Whether it's related to ourselves---a disorganized closet, a scratch on the car, an imperfect accomplishment, a few pounds we would like to lose---or someone else's imperfections------the way someone looks, behaves, or lives their life--- the very act of focusing on imperfection pulls us away from our goal of being kind and gentle. This strategy has nothing to do with ceasing to do your very best, but with being overly attached and focused on what is wrong with life.

                          Richard Carlson,  Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

        I thank all who post.  I love hearing what's going on in your lives.  Communicating, fellowship and celebrating life is good for everyone's soul.   Keep looking up.

Related Post:

Progress, Not Perf3ktion

My Gratitudes for Monday 11/6/12
1.  I rested today. This is a day I usually take off from work.
2.  I rode my bike today----I love it, when I do.
3.  I met with friends tonight. It was good being with them. I enjoy the fellowship we shared.
4.  I'm the keynote speaker at an event on the 17th of this month. Those who live nearby are welcome to attend. I'll speak on overcoming challenges. I enjoy speaking before an audience.
5. I'm creating a FaceBook account for my business.
6. My business is incorporating as a non-profit.
7. I look forward to working with an intern, later this week.
8. I visited with my oldest son, earlier in the evening. He gave me great ideas that will help me with my business.
9. I didn't lose anything today.  :->  (You can read yesterday's post here.)
10. I have greater clarity about my priorities, the result of my conversation with with Pablo Jr. (See yesterday's post.)
11. My public speaking will be increasing over the next few months. Topics will be: overcoming depression, self-loathing and anger. I enjoy interacting with others and sharing with them the results of my research, experience, strength and hope.