“It seems that perfection is reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint Exupéry
We shy away from using the word “perfection,” given its meaning of flawlessness. Yet it’s an inspiring word, summoning the highest of aspirations. Unattainable perhaps? Not if we revise the definition.
When our young son believed in the magic of movies (still does at age 25), he and I agreed on a new category of evaluation: perfection. After analyzing a movie if we conclude nothing — not the script, director, actors, cinematography or musical score — needs to change, we award the movie the distinction of perfection. Since we evaluate movies equally, regardless of their genre, romantic comedies rate alongside serious dramas. For example, we deem Love Actually and Tootsie as perfect as Apollo 13 and Lawrence of Arabia.
Now I apply this category to my days. After a morning walk, I may spend time on my computer, run a few errands, play doubles tennis with amiable partners, chat with Glen during happy hour, work with him on a mammoth crossword puzzle while preparing our evening meal, and watch an episode of a TV series. No matter how ordinary the day, if I wish to change nothing about it, I’ve experienced perfection.
In my sunset years, I aspire to live scores of perfect days. We cannot help but feel pleasure in attaining perfection. •
Lorna Smith says
You have the total package in this Blog
KUDOS to you Pam
Rick says
Hi. I am a second time caller. Like this forum I seek various forms of perfection and in this case I seek the perfect example of subtle humour. Can the following be outdone:
“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put a tomato in your fruit salad”.
Pam McPhail says
Good to know I can claim both knowledge and wisdom. As one who prepares fruit salad for lunch five days a week, I would never put a tomato in it. As for outdoing your humour: “It’s hard to explain puns to kleptomaniacs because they always take things literally.”