Obsession With Perfection
- By Indu Shanmugam
- Published 09/10/2008
Indu Shanmugam
Indu Shanmugam is a 20-something, college student from Oregon, USA. She is majoring in English literature and language. She also studied Theology for a short period. She wants to be a teacher. As a literature enthusiast, she enjoys literature of all types and from writers of various backgrounds from the classics, French realists, Christian writings like C.S Lewis and South Asian literature. As for her own writings, "I am still trying to find and develop my own voice." She sees the art of the written word as a way to speak about Christ and explore truth. Before she met Jesus Christ, she has been searching for the meaning of life through experimentation of other religions, philosophies and ideas. At the age of 17, she accepted Christ after a powerful encounter with God through a miracle. God's presence and deep truths in the Bible fuel her creativity. She is involved in church activities and has a love for the church and would like to see every believer grow, become closer to God and live fruitfully. She loves traveling, sipping bubble teas, theatre, music, films and hanging out with friends and has a weakness for cheesecake.
I'm not referring to being motivated. Having aspirations drive you forward. Exploring your passions and dreams can help you understand yourself. If it's part of the spiritual journey, you grow in faith. I don't like being idle and having nothing to do. Those are positive aspects.
Then there is the unhealthy obsession with perfection, where you discourage yourself and beat yourself up.
College life is stressful. Life throws its curveballs. Ever felt that just making the mark is never good enough? No, you are expected to go above and beyond the norms or basic expectations. Fear of failure not just in academics but in life itself is very real. This is a part of life as a young adult. Finishing one part of life and graduating to another is stressful. Too many changes can further complicate life.
On the spiritual level, how many times do we tend to think that we can earn our way up to a higher spiritual place or special favor? That will never happen because we'll eventually wear ourselves out. We can never be good enough.
Recognizing and accepting grace is the key. Our aspirations, dreams and callings are done from understanding grace and as part of a spiritual journey. It's a journey not destination.