Living in Balance
Give your full attention
to the actions you perform.
Remove from them the slightest imperfections
and try to observe all conditions
necessary to make them perfect.
One action done well
is better than a thousand done half-heartedly.
Maxim of Love 14:4
Jean-Pierre Medaille, SJ
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“One action done well is better than a thousand done half-heartedly”. Ah, instead, why not “a thousand actions done whole-heartedly”? That was my style for years. One of my struggles has been a compulsion toward perfectionism, in everything I do.
Some of you may be familiar with this, especially if you come from the “1” space on the Enneagram, as I do. So how in the world then would this particular maxim have any personal meaning? In many ways, it would seem, at first brush, to support this compulsion and exacerbate my false self.
I find it interesting that on the very day I share these words I received the following reflection in an email: “Today, see if you can be aware of your ‘excuse’ for not being Present. When I have achieved perfection, then I’ll show up.”
While vestiges of this ‘tendency’ remain, God’s grace has allowed me to move on to bask in a more balanced life approach. Yes, in some ways this Maxim should be the last one for me to reflect on. But as I ponder and reflect on this Maxim – “removing from my actions the slightest imperfections” along with another Maxim “Be receptive to the grace in the moment” (6:9) Medaille’s wisdom and light slowly become apparent.
Behind and because of this need for perfectionism lies my true giftedness. My giftedness and misuse of my gifts are inexorably intertwined; in some way, without ‘this need to be perfect’, my true giftedness is lost . . . Non-dualistic thinking personified – everything belongs.
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