Monday, February 25, 2008

Finished is Way Better Than Perfect!

I am still learning. ~ Michelangelo

As promised some time ago, here's a photo of the log cabin block I actually stitched, instead of the photo I "borrowed" off the Internet to illustrate the point I was making in that days' post. My block is not quite as perfect: heck, mine's not perfect at all! But it's finished, and I'm very proud of it. It was my first log cabin block, and it was a booger to do!

Isn't that the way of things? If something comes easy, we may not get quite as excited when we finish. But when the task is difficult, and requires a lot of patience and perseverance, we want to shout to the stars when we reach our goal.

I know you can see where I'm going with this.

Anything we choose to do in life that's difficult is worth the effort. Losing weight, making a career change, quitting smoking, getting our spending habits under control. Taking a positive step in life is scary and requires that we be very gentle with ourselves.

It's like my quilt block: it took a long time for this beginner to create, and required all of my patience. I had to set it aside a few times and walk away. I cried once: I ripped out seams a few times. But I stuck with it and in the end, I have something I'm proud to call my own.

Michelangelo is said to have made the humble quote listed above when he was in his 80s. I figure if he can say that after all his creations and works of great art, it certainly applies to me, and maybe to you, too. I am still learning -- about good health, about wise choices, about quilting, and about life. We're all going to make mistakes along the way, but we will reach our goals -- as long as we don't give up!


Until next time...

15 comments:

Grumpy Chair said...

Another great post Pattie.

Angela K. Nickerson said...

What a lovely post! I stumbled on your blog on my way to something else, but I'd like to comment on the quote you used from Michelangelo. Indeed, he considered himself a student as well as a teacher, and he sculpted and wrote poetry until the last few days of his very long life. Like your quilt, not everything he did was perfect, either. I just finished writing a book about Michelangelo, and that's one of the most reassuring and delightful things that I have learned about him in my research: he was fantastic, but he wasn't perfect.

Did you know that pioneer women often made deliberate "errors" in their quilts because only God could create something perfect?

Having written all of that let me add: your quilt block is gorgeous! Congratulations!

Ciao!
Angela

Hanlie said...

Nice quilt! I got so much knitting done watching the Oscars last night (we watch it recorded on Mondays) that my socks should be finished soon.

Nice post!

Kathy said...

So true, Pattie. I'm a knitter and I was working on a sweater for my younger daughter that had a phoenix across the back. I don't know how many times I frogged that back before I was happy with it...but I was so proud of the finished product and my daughter loves it. My weight loss path has not run smoothly every step of the way, but I have kept with it and the results are so worth it. I am proud of every pound I've lost...I've earned the rewards with the continued effort I've put forth!

Brightcetera said...

Your quilt is beautiful. What a wonderful gift to yourself to not give up on it.
Pattie, thank you for your kind words and comfort. I both needed it and appreciate it. I always love to visit your blog.

Tammy said...

You have such a great attitude! Staying with the program can be really hard sometimes, but perseverance will get you through each day and the days definitely get behind you. Every day may not be perfect, but as long as you never give up, you will not fail. Keep up the great work!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful insight Pattie. The block is beautiful. Quilting is another one of those things on my to-do list. The quote is inspirational and perfect. You're right. We are always learning and making mistakes, but the effort and dedication really are the key to success! Who needs perfection?!

Chanda (aka Bea) said...

Beautiful quilt! You should be incredibly proud of your accomplishment. It just goes to show we can do anything we put our minds to. Great post!

HappyBlogChick said...

What a great post! And what a wonderful accomplishment your quilt is. It is beautiful.

Wouldn't life be boring if we didn't have so much to learn? I hope I go on learning into my 80s, too.

Lidian said...

What a gorgeous quilt! Love this post.

Lori said...

Great analogy! And your quilt block is beautiful!! I have a log cabin quilt on my bed (I did NOT make it!) and I love that pattern!!

Ready Maid said...

Beautiful analogy, and absolutely lovely quilt block...which probably will become an heirloom.

Rebecca

Le Butterfly said...

Beautiful.
thank for the inspiration.

Diana Swallow said...

I love it!! Great post and a beautiful block.

You know you look at it and you see the imperfections. I look at it and I only see the beauty. I think the same is true about our bodies sometimes, we are our own worst critics.

I love your fabrics and color choices, its simply beautiful!

RunningNan said...

it is beautiful!