Photo via The House of Milk.

As soon as I typed the title to this post, I wondered: how much would it change me not only to let go of imperfection, but to embrace it in my life?

Instead of worrying that my skin is smooth enough, or my conversation fascinating enough, I could enjoy the beauty of my life. What if I shifted my focus from how perfectly I can execute an asana during yoga class (or in my living room, for that matter) and instead experience gratitude for the chance to practice?

This is a deep and difficult path for me to take, because it goes against years of habit. I'm so used to looking in the mirror and rushing to find what could be improved, whether it's a single blemish or my very shape. And yet I'm capable of discovering myself with a smile-- relaxing as I find that it's still the same me in there. By expanding on this, I can begin to let go of imperfection.

For today's meditation practice, I recommend you sit in a public place where you can watch people wander by on the street. Read this paragraph, and then look around. See what imperfections you can find that are truly beautiful -- the details that make the world what it is. Then, give yourself a few minutes to journal about things you've considered imperfections in your own life. Reflect on how you might reshape your thinking.

Why this obsession with perfection? Then you will be tense, anxious, nervous, always uneasy, troubled, in conflict. The English word ‘agony’ comes from a root which means: to be in conflict. To be constantly wrestling with oneself — that is the meaning of agony. You will be in agony if you are not at ease with yourself. Don’t demand the impossible, be natural, at ease, loving yourself, loving others. And remember, a person who cannot love himself because he goes on condemning, cannot love anybody else either. A perfectionist is not only a perfectionist about himself, he is about others also. A man who is hard on himself is bound to be hard on others. His demands are impossible.

-From a post by Osho on Lilie Zen Coach

Finally, have a laugh. Sometimes humor is a great way to let go.