When someone thinks of the word perfection, it usually brings to mind something without a flaw. Since human beings are flawed by design or definition, this has led to the belief that no one is perfect. I intend to challenge this notion with this blog entry.
Consider the animal shows that judge various breeds against each other by comparing the animal presented to a breed standard. An animal who meets every standard is considered to be a "perfect" specimen. Since humans are members of the animal kingdom, why can't we attach this same standard to ourselves? Since one of our breed standards is to be flawed, we must be capable of making mistakes in order to be a perfect specimen. Thus, readers may wonder how to find out if someone they know (perhaps themselves) could be deemed perfect. I'll present that now.
First, ask yourself if you're willing to help someone who needs help whether you know the person or not. This is an act of selflessness. By several guidelines, people should be selfless. Thus, selflessness could be considered another breed standard for the human species. It can be easily observed that not everyone possesses this trait so it is a valid measuring stick.
Another general rule for humans is that when we do make mistakes we should learn from them. Again, this is a valid measurement device because not everyone does this. So, we have another breed standard for our species. This leads into and is part of the last breed standard I'll present. Humans should try to better themselves. This could be demonstrated in various ways ranging from academic preparation for a better job or career to taking on physical exercise to improve your overall health. You don't have to do everything at the same time or in the same time frame either. As long as you are doing one thing to better yourself, you are meeting the standard.
So three breed standards:
1. Do you help people including those you don't know?
2. Do you learn from the mistakes you do make?
3. Do you participate in activities for self-improvement?
If you answered yes to all three questions, pat yourself on the back and consider yourself a perfect specimen of the human species.
Seasoned Chicken And Rice
15 years ago
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2 comments:
How can ansewring yes to these questions mean one is "perfect"? One can NEVER answer "yes" to all three at all times. Selfishness pervades all things in everyone's life. There are some times where one endeavors to better themselves, and other times where they wallow in self-pity, depression, and utter depravity.
How do you account for the the people (and I would argue that that is ALL people) who cannot answer "yes" to these three at all times?
My statement of if they can answer yes to all three questions is how I account for the people who cannot do so. It is a shame that anyone feels that no one can do this. I have known people who think of themselves as being selfish while their very actions are outwardly selfless. They fail to see the benefits to other people in their actions. They may think they are only bettering their own situation.
That is the entire purpose of this blog is to start people thinking about how their actions trigger things in other people's lives. For example, I work in retail. My customers probably don't realize that, by satisfying their wants, they are improving my life at the same time. Thus, by purchasing something from me, they are truly being selfless whether they know it or not.
There are other examples for the other questions as well. People often don't realize the big picture too often. That's what this blog is about. I appreciate your question and thank you for it because it made me think a little harder about the post. In a way, your very comment was a selfless act by giving me some mental exercise helping me to improve my thought processes.
I do, however, stand by my statements.
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