The 1Life Podcast with Behka White

Episode 56 - Embracing Imperfection

In Episode 56 of the 1life podcast, Behka White discusses the concept of embracing imperfection, drawing inspiration from Brené Brown's quote, "It is in the process of embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts." She shares a personal story about creating a quilt from her late son Jacob's baby clothes, highlighting the imperfections in the quilt and how the process of creating it became a therapeutic and meaningful experience. Behka emphasizes that imperfections are not something to be ashamed of, but rather an integral part of our journey and growth. She offers practical tips for practicing self-acceptance, letting go of comparison, challenging negative self-talk, celebrating efforts, and sharing imperfections. The episode concludes with an invitation to embrace imperfections and recognize the unique gifts they bring to our lives.

Duration:: 3m
Broadcast on:: 05 Sep 2024
Audio Format:: aac

Welcome to the One Life podcast with Becca White. This is episode 56, "Embracing imperfection." Brene Brown states, "It is in the process of embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts." My son Jacob passed away when he was 9 months old. My mom helped me with the difficult task of cleaning out his drawers. I could not part with any of Jacob's items, so we packed everything into bins for easier storage. Several months later, I decided I wanted to make a quilt out of his baby clothes and blankets. Now, I don't quilt, and I don't sew. My friends offered to make the quilt for me, but for some reason, I had to do it myself. So instead, they helped me choose a pattern and get started. I began by cutting his clothes into squares and triangles. I sat alone at the sewing machine and cried over my project for months. When I finally emerged, I had a very imperfect quilt top. It has hit striped shirt here and his gray pants there, little memories of him to look at and to hold. I had it professionally quilted and finished. It is perfect on the professional side and very imperfect on my side. The quilt is now 20 years old. It hangs in our family room and we use it to cuddle up on cold nights. The corners still don't match up perfectly. Some seams are a bit crooked. But that's not the point. It is a tangible reminder of Jacob and the time I spent laboring over it was the time I walked through the valley of the shadow of death and came out on the other side. The time reflecting on his life and his love was my truest gift. To repeat Brene Brown, quote, "It is in the process of embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts," end quote. What does this quote offer you? What gifts have you found in your imperfections? Our imperfections do not disqualify us from love. Our imperfections do not make us unworthy. They are an important part of our physical and spiritual DNA designed for us to learn and stretch and grow. When our imperfections threaten our peace, there are a few practical tips that we can use to help us re-center ourselves. The first is to practice self-acceptance. Acknowledge and embrace our strengths and weaknesses as part of our unique identity. We can let go of comparison. Focus on our journey of progress rather than comparing ourselves to others. Challenge negative self-talk. Replace critical thoughts with kind and encouraging words. Celebrate our efforts. Focus on the process and the learning rather than just the outcome. Share our imperfections. Vulnerability can foster deeper connections with others and create a space for authenticity. Today's invitation is to remember that our imperfections do not define us. They are part of our journey and contribute to our unique gifts. We only get one life. Let's make it our best.