Progress Not Perfection

After spending years practicing what is referred to in a twelve step program as "the three P's"...perfectionism, procrastination, and paralysis...I often find myself reflecting on a recovery slogan "progress not perfection". What I've found to be true for me is: my perfectionism leads me to procrastinate doing things I want to do for fear of not doing it perfectly. That procrastination then leads me down the path to paralysis. So much time can be wasted on paralysis. I've come to view my perfectionism as a negative character trait. Today, I strive for progress...not perfection.

Last August, Dick and I loaded our bikes for a late summer ride on the Railroad Grade in Ashe County along the New River. That particular day offered an opportunity for me to rethink "progress not perfection". As we were riding along my favorite stretch of the river...I realized a long line of new power poles and power lines had been constructed since our last bike ride. I began thinking of the natural beauty that had remained virtually unchanged for so many years. I remembered how "perfect" the views of the river had been. Now, I'm faced with the ugliness of "progress". Progress for me on that particularly gorgeous day was reflected in that long line of unsightly power poles and lines.

Now, when I think of my recovery slogan "progress not perfection", I choose to focus on my personal progress and consciously strive to let go of my perfectionist tendencies. Yet, when I look at nature and reflect on the "perfectness" found there, I accept that perfectionism, too, has its place. As far as those new power poles and lines along the New River go...I prefer to wish the progress away!

Fast forward to Winter 2010...January deep freeze. Even the long line of power poles and strings of power lines couldn't take away the phenomenal beauty of the New River frozen from one edge of its bank to the other. In my opinion...this is an example of the Master of the Universe practicing His perfectionism!

What Do You Think?

What Do You Think?

By Charles Sandburg

What do you think about these things?

• To GET into the game of life, take chances, make decisions, and keep moving; to cultivate dispatch; eliminate waste, introduce system;
• To ACQUIRE friends with whom you can babble of stars, roses, coffee and the weather; to head for the open country, hills and the free, fresh sun and wind;
• To USE every possible tool and situation for the advancement of The Great Cause; to distinguish between intelligent discussion and futile rag-chewing; to make a slight effort every day or so at inaugurating a civilization that lays emphasis on the soul as the best man;
• To PITY the respectable and satisfies, and see in the heart of the jail-bird your own impulses; to be patient with the stupid and incompetent; and chat reverently with the town fool about his religion; to give and take no job that involves human degradation; to realize that the grafter; the scarlet woman, Rockefeller, Thaw and the one-legged man on the corner selling led-pencils, are each the result of conditions for which all of us are in part responsible;
• To SPELL Art with a capital A and enjoy paintings, poems, stories, statues and the silent benedictions of architecture; to love expression; to know when to behave and when to get reckless and forget that you're a gentleman; to hoe in the garden, split wood, carry out ashes, get dirty and be actually useful every once in a while if not twice; to pray and aspire and build and when you build, build strong;
• To LIVE in a bungalow, with bathrooms, music, flowers, a beautiful woman and children healthy as little savages; to be proud that you're human and aware that it's grand to be human; to help make life a chord of music wherein are blended the notes of companionship, love and ability -- how about these things, Brother?

New Beginnings

When I'm teaching someone new the art of "scrapbooking", I always suggest that they start with their most current pictures. Thinking about the thousands of pictures most of us have in shoe boxes and other assorted drawers can be overwhelming. Finishing a couple of scrapbook pages of some current event is a confidence booster. So...I've decided to take my own advice and begin "Sheree's Scraps" anew with a current event!

Dick and I spent this gorgeous Sunday hiking the Stone Mountain Trail. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. As we started our hike, the temperature was 69 degrees. The cool air had that late summer feel. The Autumal Equinox is only 9 days away!! Wow!!! How time flies!

Stone Mountain State Park

Hutchinson Homestead at the base of Stone Mountain

Funny that my last post in April was looking back 10 years ago to the day Dick proposed to me on top of Stone Mountain. Here we are again ten years later on top of the mountain...continuing to hike, and still madly in love!


A view from the top. Wonder if Ray's Weather might post this picture as one of his "today's photos". It's worthy...I think I'll send it to him!

Looking Back

On this day...ten years ago, my life as I had known it was changing. I've often said (somewhat jokingly) that I believe in reincarnation because I've lived a life different from my life today. I was in heavy duty training for the "trip of my life". My cousin Alan and I were leaving for Nepal in just a few days for 3 1/2 weeks of trekking in the Himalayas. Romantically, I had fallen hard for my "National Guard buddy" (as Karen once called him). As Dick and I began our relationship...he was flabbergasted that I would choose to go to Southeast Asia...knowing what he knew from his time in Viet Nam. However, not wanting me to go unprepared...he set about accompaining me on "training hikes". On this particularly gorgeous day, 16 Apr 1999, Alan, Don and Karen, Dick and I set out to Stone Mountain in Traphill for a hike across the granite face. Little did I know that Dick was planning to ask me to marry him!! What better place than high atop Stone Mountain! Our destiny became "set in stone". Dick has told his daughter Maggie what he had planned and she was horrified that he didn't have a ring to give me. She insisted on loaning one of her rings to make it official! (Thanks Maggie!!) I can't imagine a more perfect proposal...and I'm so lucky to have had my very dearest "buddies" with me at the time!

"Rows and Furrows" Quilt

As September ended, and October 2008 began...I found myself anxious, worried, stressed, and depressed. It would have been so easy for me to fall back into familiar patterns...turning inward, shutting loved ones out, curling up in the fetal position and sleeping the trouble away. This time...I chose a difference response. I remembered two keys of recovery. The first key was my favorite definition of insanity. "Insanity is: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." The second key was a quote I think of often..."When I got busy, I got better." So...I decided the most constructive thing I could do to stay busy was piece together a scrappy quilt top. My friend Dee donated some half square triangle blocks as well as other blocks of light and dark fabrics from her stash. I picked through my stash including "Bob the Builder" fabrics from Bryce's quilt...Laurel Burch pieces from a "Bountiful Blessings" wall hanging...assorted Christmas fabrics left over from my "Christmas Sampler", "Sssssilly Safari" charm squares from Roslin's sweatshirt jacket, a scrap from Mom's skirt hem...and began sewing. I didn't think I would ever finish all those 9 patch blocks!!! But finish them I did! As the top grew in size my excitement grew with it! This quilt was destined to be Jaclyn's from the start. I finally finished piecing the top in February 2009. The Cozy Quilters in Lenoir machine quilted it. I picked it up in March...sewed the binding around the quilt and hand stitched it down to finish! WHEW! Just in time for Jaclyn's birthday last Saturday...April 11. The dark days of October are a fading memory and I find myself grateful for Spring...for this season of awakening and opportunities to start fresh again.

Stepping Outside My Box

Becoming a "blogger" is definitely outside my comfort zone!! While I've longed to give it a try...my fear factor has allowed me to procrastinate. In attempting to live the words Mary Oliver penned in her poem The Journey... "One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began..." I find myself here...today...at the beginning.



There will be postings where I'll share my love of quilting and scrapbooking with you. Occasionally, I'll post favorite recipes. Maybe I'll share my thoughts about life...maybe I won't. I will share pictures as I learn how. Stay tuned for more "Sheree's Scraps".