Imperfectly Perfect Or Perfectly Imperfect?
- Brainz Magazine
- Jan 1, 2025
- 8 min read
Arthur J. Rutledge is a mindset and leadership speaker, coach, and trainer. He helps people to beam with their dreams and how to put fire on their desires. Best selling Author of the new book "11 Pillars of Confidence" published by the L.A. Tribune. Also an entrepreneur and co-founder of Peoples Pride.
In the race of life, we often find ourselves stumbling, fumbling, and bumbling through misunderstandings that arise from human experience. We can feel excited at times, yet we tend to be incredibly hard on ourselves, as if doubts and shame are not inherent parts of the human condition. Whether we are striving to excel in career, physical health, finances, family, social life, spirituality, or intellectual pursuits, we often lose sight of ourselves in the process. We may find ourselves drowning in doubt, shrinking in shame, and weighed down by guilt. To create harmony in our lives, we must confront these challenges and find a solution that builds resilience.
Let’s step into the realm of the imperfectly perfect zone. Unlike the Twilight Zone, this is not about frightening thoughts but about embracing better thinking and healthier perspectives. Let’s work to release the shame tied to doubts and other fears.
Start with intention
How well are you taking care of yourself? What steps can you take to treat yourself better each day? What aspects of your life are you unsatisfied with, and what will it take to change them? These and similar questions are excellent ways to establish whether you are growing or merely standing still. Real intentions start with a deep curiosity. Just as a tree relentlessly pursues its growth, reaching as high as it can, we too can summon that natural drive to realize our fullest potential.
Everything and everyone are governed by laws. These laws are both indisputable and dynamic. The tides of the sea, which dominate most of the earth’s surface, splash and clash in a rhythm that is both mesmerizing and terrifying. This unseen balance mirrors the perpetual push and pull between our conscious and subconscious minds.
“The spiritual journey does not consist in arriving at a new destination where a person gains what he did not have to becomes what he is not. It consists in the dissipation of one’s own ignorance concerning one’s self and life, and the gradual growth of that understanding which begins the spiritual awakening. The finding of God is a coming to one’s self.” – Aldous Huxley
Law of oneness
This Law explains that everything in this world is connected to everything else. Anything we believe, think, or say affects the world and the universe around us. Stephen R. Covey's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People discusses three types of people that circulate in our society.
The first type is the dependent person, who is in a place of need, pity, or excuse. They let their state of mind determine their circumstances. The second type is the independent person. This archetype takes accountability for their life decisions and moves forward to grow the seeds that will pay off in the future, understanding that this process is necessary for self-trust in whatever they set out to complete. They have grown confident in getting things done but have partially or not at all – transitioned into the value of interdependence.
You guessed it: “Interdependence” should be the ultimate goal in becoming highly effective. It represents every hope one holds within the human experience. This convivial principle of empathetic collaboration enhances our overall ability to adjust to personal and societal circumstances. An interdependent individual knows their worth and recognizes the worth of others, fostering an ecosystem of sustainable AGAPE.
There’s an awesome word, “Ubuntu,” which originates from South African dialects, particularly Zulu and Xhosa. It signifies our ultimate decision to collaborate in the scheme of life: “I am because we are.” It embodies mutual respect for the human experience, rooted in interconnectedness and unconditional love, working together toward collective fruition. Mother Teresa’s doctrine reflected this understanding, emphasizing that by combining individual strengths, we can achieve more together.
“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa
Law of rhythm
This law describes how everything vibrates and moves to a rhythm. Each rhythm establishes seasons, cycles, stages of development, and patterns. Whenever you repeatedly engage in an activity, it becomes a rhythm called habit, and eventually, it becomes permanent. If you don’t practice and adjust to higher thoughts, you become part of the rhythm of your environment. The key is to connect with and commit to a rhythm you set for yourself, believing it is destined for you. The rhythm that works for one person may not suit another. I would shy away from following someone else’s rhythm, as you might find yourself unintentionally unsettled or unaware of your true desires.
This is where trusting your intuition is tested, a natural progression on your inner journey toward your authentic self. In the class of life, most sit at the back, some in the middle, and a few in the front. Each person discovers themselves in these roles, regardless of the "grade." At the right time and season, you get to decide which one you are. You choose what grade you are at in whatever part of life you find yourself. Build your flow and trust your process accordingly.
“People who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed.” – Llyod Jones
Law of polarity
This law states that everything has an opposite. Light must have darkness for either to be understood. We cannot have left without right, up without down, or success without failure. Negative thoughts can be suppressed and transformed by focusing on positive ones.
There were times I found myself frustrated with people and their ideas. The real problem in dealing with others is never the other person, it’s ourselves. The truth is, this struggle exists within all of us and can surface at any time, no matter how trained we may be in emotional intelligence. Only by intentionally building a system to raise awareness can we cultivate the “loving patience” needed to overcome unintended tendencies to project, shame, or blame.
“A single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” – Henry David Thoreau
Law of cause and effect
This law states that nothing happens by chance or outside the Universal Laws. Every action has an appropriate reaction. This law calls us to take responsibility for everything that happens in our lives.
Every action has a reaction or consequence; we “reap what we sow.” I haven’t always understood the power of this law. When experimenting with who we are becoming, it’s often hard to grasp the full impact of our immediate decisions. The truth is, our actions are directly tied to how we feel about what we habitually believe, or don’t believe, in our lives.
For me, this practice involves focusing on what you can control, what you can create, and letting go of what you cannot control. By balancing these practices, you align with the law of rhythm and secure a prosperous, authentic sense of self, trusting in whatever arises in your life. You will come out on top.
The Good Book, what I call “The Bible” because it’s always good, lends its understanding through “The Parable: Ask, Seek, and Knock.” If you ask, you will receive. If you seek, you will find. If you knock, the door will be opened to you. Whether you are the cause of something or affected by it, your belief is at the forefront of your outcome.
Intentional living means taking responsibility for who you are with a healthy intention. When we release what is out of our control, we remain willing to maintain a constructive perspective and ensure an optimistic narrative. A good outlook is determined by the belief that life is working toward your benefit.
I often encourage myself to “willingly dare to live in the splendor of life called abundance and dare not resign to the anguish of life called scarcity. If not, conformity will be your jailer and contempt your cellmate. Ironically, life is ambitiously waiting for you to start your best living, just as much as you are to obtain it.”
“Whatever you think, be sure that it is what you think; whatever you want, be sure that it is what you want; whatever you feel, be sure that it is what you feel.” – T.S Eliot
Law of action
Action brings results, manifesting different outcomes depending on our thoughts, dreams, emotions, and words. Therefore, we must engage in actions that support those thoughts, dreams, emotions, and words. In the book Everybody Communicates, Few Connect, John C. Maxwell talks about what allows or causes people to listen to leaders or influencers who want to effectively speak into the lives of others:
Relationships – who you know.
Sacrifice – how you have lived.
Insight – what you know.
Success – what you have done.
Ability – what you can do.
You may have heard the old axiom, “Actions speak louder than words.” As you see in these other universal laws above, the good habit of aligning your words with your actions will lead you to the best outcomes.
I am known as “the confidence guy” after publishing the book 11 Pillars of Confidence. The truth of the matter is, I rely on actions and words—one cannot work effectively without the other. My truth expands beyond conventional norms to a place of empowerment. I have practiced earnest introspection and rigorous devotion to becoming the person I aspire to be in the pursuit of excellence.
We show people our integrity and commitment to our cause by showing up as our best selves. What are we saying to our subconscious when we are readily willing to show up as less than we are capable of? More importantly, this reflects a lack of self-worth, manifesting as a feeling of being slighted in life. Different strokes can become a slippery slope; the action of doing breaks the cycle of confusion created by passivity. Inertia is a terrible place to find oneself – so go for no, evict doubt, and, with clear effort, you will find greater effectiveness and less scarcity in your present.
“We can see the blemishes of the soul by looking at the cuts displayed on the surface.” – Arthur J. Rutledge
This is a daily affirmation to give yourself a dose of who you will show up as to embrace the best in your intrinsic growth. Here is an A.P.P.L.E.E. on me!
Awareness
Presence
Patience
Learning
Earnest
Empathy
“We have so many pieces to ourselves that searching them out can leave us uncertain at times. Only when we endure with patience to connect them we create wonder and a sense of wholeness.” – Arthur J. Rutledge
Last wise words; ASK, SEEK, KNOCK, and the faith you inherit will bring you out of probable gloom to own your potential DO! Then sit back and get ready to manifest beyond your wildest imagination.
Read more from Arthur J. Rutledge
Arthur J. Rutledge, Author, Leadership Speaker & Coach
Arthur J. Rutledge is a thought leader with an unwavering mission to enhance, cultivate, and empower over a million leaders to fulfill their pure potential in life. Starting from a young age, his love for people became fundamental and sparked his passion for giving back by supporting people in their personal growth. 2024 marked the fruition of that endured vision with the new book " 11 Pillars of Confidence, build and Lead an Empowered You." He is also an entrepreneur, owner of Kap Group Events NYC, and co-founder of the online store Peoples Pride. His abetment in life is to continue helping people to reinvent and reinforce the vertical mindset, the words he is known to say as an encouragement to all, "Shine on!"
