UncategorizedWhy do we DEMAND perfection? October 11, 2013On this Friday, I want to share a little more behind who I am and what this new blog is about. As I said yesterday, it’s been a crazy, but exciting week and I just feel the need to share a little of my inspiration. Why do we DEMAND perfection? I make some big claims. “I think perfection is over-rated and instead, I celebrate flaws. Others see something as worn out and tired, but I see its soul and history.” Sound familiar? I really do believe that deep in my core. I often get frustrated with culture for demanding perfection. The magazine staring back at me in the check-out line at the grocery store demands perfection from my body, my skin, my hair. And Pinterest (yes, I do love you, but still) demands perfection from my home. Or at least I think it does. I fight this need for perfection in myself and my home nearly every day. Does this oufit accentuate my physical flaws? Is this project really worthy of putting out into blogosphere and Pinterest, or will others just laugh? I thought I’d conquered it. It’s been a long struggle, but I’m finally happy saying, “Here’s who I am. Here’s exactly what I’m about. Here’s what I love.” Recently, I was reflecting over how thankful I am that God has filled me with contentment over our home and myself. And as God often does, He reminded me of something at that very moment. See those little antlers hanging up there? Well, I bought those on The World’s Longest Yard Sale and as with most things I buy, there’s a story there. One of the top things on my list for the big sale were mounted antlers. I love them and wanted them for several different spots in my home. On the last day, I came across a pile of them at one booth. I was sifting through it and the owner came over and started telling me prices. As I’d seen for the majority of the week, they weren’t that cheap and y’all know, I’m all about low prices. Well, he came to this set mounted on wood with the leather mounting and little nailheads. I was in love with the mounting, but not so much the broken antler. He said he’d give this set to me for $10 (much, much cheaper than any others) because no one wanted it with the broken antler. Even as I’m typing this, I’m screaming at myself to buy the antlers! I mean, no one else wants it because of its’ flaws? That sounds exactly like something I would buy. Well, I didn’t. My response was that I, like the others, didn’t want ones that were broken. I wanted ones that were perfectly intact. The shopowner went along and began helping other customers. I kept looking at the other antlers trying to decide if I’d purchase any of them. He came back by ten minutes later and said that he’d sell the mounted broken antlers to me for $5. He just really wanted to move them. Again, I said, “Really, sir, if they weren’t broken and damaged, I’d buy them.” He smirked and paused for a minute and then said something that is still ringing in my ears today. “We’re all craving perfection, aren’t we? I bought them broken, just like this. They probably got broken in a fight with another buck or something like that. There’s a story there, ma’am. They’ve got a history.” I’m not sure how, but that line still didn’t pierce my heart like it is now. He went on to describe how this mounting alone would cost a lot more than $5 and I could replace the antlers with some other perfect ones. Now, that got me excited and I thought “What a deal!” I’ll buy the mounting for $5 and replace it with a perfect pair I have sitting at home. A few weeks ago, I was thinking how wonderful it is to just be content (as I mentioned above) and I looked down and saw these antlers still sitting in a pile of Yard Sale finds, just waiting for a home. These were waiting for their new, perfect makeover. And immediately, all I could think about was that man tilting his head, smirking, and saying, “We’re all craving perfection, aren’t we?” I immediately grabbed them up and told Chris I wanted to hang them, broken antler and all. They’ve been over our dining room hutch for the last few weeks and they make me smile every time I walk past. Are they perfect? Not hardly. But there’s a story there. And they remind me to embrace our history and past that’s made us who we are, flaws and all. They remind me to kick the standard of perfection to the curb. Not long after that, I sat down and wrote my About Page, newly inspired to continue on this adventure of being me. Here at The White Buffalo, I’m seeking beauty by hanging the broken antlers, loving the worn wood, buying the tattered, old rug, and most of all, by welcoming not perfect, but real people. Thank you lovely readers for accepting me, imperfections and all.
Jennifer says October 11, 2013 at 11:20 am I’m new to your blog (as of this week!) and absolutely adore it; especially this post. When we moved into our current house (and oldie but a goodie, slanted floors and cracked plaster, the works) what popped into my mind was “Embrace Imperfection and Call it Character”. It’s become a motto! Although I do have to say I still struggle with self doubt; putting things out there that might not be perfect. It’s a daily battle, but I’m working on it! {LOVE those history filled antlers!} Reply
Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says October 11, 2013 at 11:42 am Well, I for one like the broken antlers. All those normal in one piece antlers are so 5 mins. ago…LOL, Great post Lindsay! Brokenness is just one step closer to the Lord 🙂 xo Kristin Reply
kimberly says October 11, 2013 at 1:53 pm Lindsay I love your philosophy! My most treasured items are those that have a story behind them. My antlers were purchased from a fellow who traveled all over the states hunting and he marked each one by date and where he shot the deer. He was moving to a smaller home and had to get rid of all of his taxidermy. Keep keeping it real! Reply
Julia @Cuckoo4Design says October 11, 2013 at 2:54 pm Love this post Lindsay! And I like the antlers this way too. As I get older I have learned to love certain imperfections including my own body 😉 Reply
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says October 11, 2013 at 3:34 pm I friggin’ love you, and this post. This post TOTALLY speaks to me. You rock, Lindsay! 🙂 Reply
Jackie says October 11, 2013 at 4:05 pm Hi Lindsay, As you know I enjoy checking in our your blog and update Matt about your and Chris’ life and home. Just wanted to say that the words in this post are beautiful. Congratulations on the new page! Hope you, Chris and Gracie are well.~Jackie Reply
Holly says October 11, 2013 at 7:25 pm Hi Lindsay… You don’t know me but I found your blog last week or so on another blog. I put you on my blog roll and saw you there today. I appreciate this post, especially. My blog is down to earth style – I am all about being content with myself and I love when people can be confident with their own style and person. Thanks for being honest and reminding us to just be. 🙂 Happy weekend. Holly Reply
Virginia @livelovediy says October 11, 2013 at 7:52 pm Absolutely loved this, Lindsday. Totally needed to read that today. Thank you! <3 Reply
Shavonda @AHomeFullOfColor says October 12, 2013 at 5:21 am Seriously Lindsay this post have me goosebumps. It was so so good. I’m so glad you decided to hang the broken antlers. They are so beautiful. Perfection is incredibly overrated and unattainable. The imperfections are what make things so much more interesting and authentic. Thanks so much for sharing this post today:) Reply
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says October 12, 2013 at 11:44 am Great post, Lindsay. Loved every word. Reply
Denise says October 12, 2013 at 4:53 pm I really love seeing the great in the imperfect. Lovely. Reply
Summer Hogan says October 13, 2013 at 2:20 am Hi Lindsay! I love this post and how you write honestly, raw even. Can’t wait to read more and meet your in person soon! Reply
laura says October 14, 2013 at 5:12 pm This is all so true! I agree that everything out there like Pinterest and magazines have a real way of making us feel inadequate. It is true that the worn and tattered look of a great a find is the history and sole of it! Just like the lines of our own faces are the map of our lives! Great post Laura House Envy Reply
Jenny says October 15, 2013 at 1:04 am I just stumbled on your blog while avoiding doing something productive and am so grateful. Thank you so much for this beautifully written post…it was exactly what I needed. We would do well to appreciate the fact that people, too, have a back-story, and our imperfections are hints of the wonderful plot twists we have endured. Reply
Angie @ Angies Roost says October 15, 2013 at 1:38 pm Reading your blog always reminds me of the Nate Berkus book, “The Things That Matter”. It’s more than just design and “perfect” things but the stories behind the objects that fill our homes. And about how homes need meaning. LOVED this post! You’re one of the beautiful souls! Reply
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline says October 23, 2013 at 10:45 pm Thanks for this. I hate that my automatic tendency is towards perfection. Like things that have flaws (like myself) aren’t good enough!! Thank you for reminding me this in regards to my home and my projects, but specifically that even with my imperfections and brokenness God accepts me. Reply