The Joy of Imperfect Success

'Give it a go ya mug.' A common Australian phrase... well maybe 20years ago but I still like to say it. This mug decided to give a few things 'a go' recently and to my surprise these little adventures were not a complete disaster. In fact far from it, some of my recent steps out of my comfort zone have been quite successful. My husband is displaying the results of one of these adventures into the wonderful world of sewing.

When I was about 18 years old I attempted a one hour pattern to make a wrap around skirt. This was a disaster. Not only did said skirt take a lot longer than 60mins (it was closer to 6hours) the result was something I wore once to prove a point to my mother but had to relent that choosing a tartan fabric for a pattern that clearly states 'not suitable for patterned fabric' was a mistake. And sewing one of the panels inside out was also clearly not going to work. This little fiasco set back my sewing career about 15years.

So recently, after moving to another country, purchasing a new home and going through that glorious stage of dreaming of all the ways I would like to decorate my daughters room, followed by the depressing stage of the cost I was confronted with a challenge. To sew or not sew. I toyed with a no sew cheat version but alas it was not to be as I could not find ready made materials in the right size. My heart, now firmly set on Roman blinds, left me no other choice. I had to sew or sell a kidney. it was a close call but I chose to sew.

Drawing on a few skills passed down from my mother through many tears (my stubbornness frequently got in the way of my learning things from my mother) as a child; a few months of home economics and a good pattern and I was making roman blinds. Not only do they work, they look pretty snazzy too. Of course they are not perfect but when it comes to trying new things perfection must be set aside for success. Not being able to achieve something in exactly the way we wish it often prevents us from even trying it. And yet, the joy of imperfect success is by far a nicer way to live than with the weight of regret from unfilled idea's and desires.

I write all this to ask you what is it that you are not 'giving a go ya mug?' Step through the fear, the procrastination, the excuses and all the 'reasons' why you could not really try that thing you have always wanted to and 'GIVE IT A GO YA MUG!'

Falling Over Fun

We have a delightful Aussie term for falling over - 'stack it.' I recently 'stacked it' while going for an early morning jalk (my own term for a walk that is occasionally interspersed with jogging at comfortable intervals). It wasn't my most spectacular stack but it was a very public one. Early morning commuters traveling down a busy Toronto street witnessed me trip on the sidewalk, commando role across the pavement and land superman style flat on my face. I then confused them all by rolling onto my side laughing, too embarrassed to lift my head up or even address anyone who was stopping to help. It wasn't until I was around the corner, away from the public eye, that I vented my pain and took stock of my jalking wounds.

This was not my first public or most humiliating fall. In fact when I think about it I have been falling, stumbling and tripping for most of my life. In reflection I feel there could be a familial predisposition to my tumbling ability. My Mum was in a horrific motor vehicle accident when I was a small child that left her with a permanently straight leg. I can recall quite a few occasions of my mother falling while we were at the town library, out shopping or in the park. On most occasions I would here the fall and then come around the corner to find my Mum sitting in a shopping aisle, groceries on the floor around her, laughing so much she had tears running down her face. So actually I was groomed for stacking it in public places.

The majority of my 'stacks' have simply been my lack of attention to the changing level, condition or undulation of the path I was treading, rather than any physical disability. And the embarrassment from falling over nothing or tripping and exposing myself is always covered by a good giggle. Which is actually a good life lesson, a lesson my mother unknowingly shared with me.  That the small trips, even some of the fairly decent stacks need not be major drama's or devastating deal breakers for a good life or future success. We need to learn to laugh, to accept the help that is offered to us and get back up to jalk another day.