It’s not that I ever thought that I actually was, it’s just I’ve put so much effort for the last, oh almost, 49 years into trying to be; but I’m finally ready to let the whole damn thing go. It’s not that I’m tired or that I don’t think I’m worth the effort; it’s actually really that I’m more into progress now than I am perfection, and life’s been a lot more serene since I shifted my focus.

I’m able now, because I’m not so preoccupied with my pursuit of the perfect me, to actually pay attention to what other people say, think and feel. And there’s so many examples of awesome authentic happy imperfection out there, that I thought I might outline a couple of my favorites, courtesy of my lovely kids. I’m going to go in reverse chronological order.

• Yesterday, I was hanging out with my youngest son G before his band concert. G plays the trumpet with the same gusto he approaches every aspect of his life. It was the night of the Spring Concert. He’s sitting next to me in the passenger seat of the Mini, resplendent in red tie, white shirt, black pants, when he announces: “I take a rest during the high notes on the ColdPlay Medley because I just can’t hit them.” I say: ” Does that bother you?” He says: “No!” Wow, I think. And he really meant it.
• My daughter Sasha, a truly authentic woman in every sense of the word, has the widest tolerance for irritating friends of any person I have ever met in my life. She has an endlessly wide berth towards her friends indiscretions, is loyal to any fault, faithful beyond repute. I asked her once why? Her response: “Mom, I can’t even believe you would ask me something like that. I treat all of my friends the way I want to be treated.” Again from me: “Does it bother you when they don’t treat you back the same way?” Sasha: “Sometimes, but I still love them.” Another Wow, to myself of course. My daughter, has a much higher ability, at a much younger age, to undersand imperfection than I do.
• My son Dylan is a truly great guy. He has agreed, and I believe it is only because he loves me, to begin to practice yoga with me, even though he has the most inflexible hamstrings I have ever encountered in my life. His forward bend involves bringing his hands to his knees. That’s it! I was so shocked I asked him: “Does it bother you that you are so tight?” His response: “No, I’ll get looser with your help!” Just wow on that one.
• My oldest son Sebastian knew, long before I was really willing to admit to myself, that his mother was not perfect. He has loved me fiercely anyway. Big Wow!

Thank God I still have so much left to learn!

Bring it on, I say. I’m ready!