
“It is harder than it used to be because everything has become speeded up and overcrowded. So everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. There is a grace in gardening.”
~ May Sarton, Journal of Solitude (p. 123)

Ms. Sarton went on to write that, “It all comes back to the fact that we are not asked to be perfect, only human.”
A house, for example, that’s too efficient and sanitized — that doesn’t have at least one shabby, comfie chair; some plants, a cat, books or some indication of an actual human being living there — is soulless, says Sarton.
In other words, that Stepford-esque perfectionism … that cookie-cutter cloning influence we see around us … is a soul-killing and thus soulless virus.
And it’s super-creepy, too. As John Trudell said, it’s part of the dominant culture that “eats your spirit.”
If we follow Ms. Sarton’s insight-thread here, then wabi-sabi or kintsukuroi imperfection … naturally expressed, rather than engineered for effect (which is also creepy) … is the soulful and humanity-stirring remedy.
Phew, right?
Perfectionism is such an exhausting and ultimately fruitless drag, as many of us who were conditioned with it and have since found some liberation from it know well. Such a relief to divest ourselves of it.

I wonder, as I write this stream-of-consciousness musing, whether perfectionism might be fairly considered a type of internalized spirit-eating energy and psychic vampirism. Hmmm. What’s your sense of it?
At the dark of the moon, it’s a fine time to let go of such things, or make an intention of it, anyway. To spark a more well alchemy into being.
‘Tis a process, to be sure, but no time like the present to begin or to refresh our dedication to these more humanity-honoring root-wisdoms and reclamations.
Slowing down a bit, feeling the roots, and letting grace and its reminders of who we truly are catch up to us, fill us and overflow out of us.
The inspired May Sarton has made a few other appearances in my Sophia’s Children musings. You’ll find them here … very inspiring, and timely nourishment.
Have a happy, wabi sabi new moon weekend. I’m wishing you well.
Big Love,
June 3, 2016 at 7:08 pm
Oh so love that first quote.. 🙂 and so agree about slowing down
I think I have been forced somewhat this last couple of weeks to
Let go of things and concentrate deep in the Heart of Mother again.
And I feel so much more alive for it, even though my limbs are aching.
A timely post dear Jamie..
Wishing you a wonderful relaxing weekend..
Blessings Sue <3 xxx
June 4, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Thank you, Sue. I hope your deep nestling into the Heart of the Mother has been and continues to be deeply nourishing. 🙂 Enjoy these ‘weekend’ days. xo Love, Jamie
June 4, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Yes I am Jamie.. 🙂 you too enjoy! xxx
June 3, 2016 at 7:11 pm
I love May Sarton’s writing Jamie, and I love the thoughts of this post – perfectionism is like being stuck, because where else is there to go?
June 4, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Exactly. It’s part of the mish-mash of conditioning that’s often woven deep, internalized, and sometimes conflicting with itself! Until we become aware of it and start alchemizing and shifting our participation, yes?
I’m with you on May Sarton’s writings. I really enjoyed savoring the memoirs – even the titles are evocative! 🙂
xo J
June 5, 2016 at 10:35 am
Great piece Jamie….You are right on the money. You picked the perfect author to quote from too! May Sarton is a fabulous author…Great books that open the mind. Thanks
June 8, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Thank you, VK. I’m glad it resonated with you as well. xo Jamie
June 5, 2016 at 7:53 pm
“Psychic vampirism.” Yeah, sounds a lot like the news media also.
June 8, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Doesn’t it, though? Sheesh. xo J.
June 9, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Well, I am currently incapable – with retro Mars on my IC – of being anything but slow….I think it’s doing me good…thanks for this reminder, Jamie. It’s always helpful to slow down – or be slowed !
June 10, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Pretty funny, Anne … at least in that wry, astro-wit kind of way. It’s a good topic for sharing insight, actually, and I love how clearly the association with ‘the slow movement’ comes up as I read your comment (one insight helps catalyze another!). Mars Rx is at my DSC, so ‘slow down’ (or slowed down) it is. 🙂 Love, Jamie