Author and businessperson, Dirk Sanden’s self-help book, Your Lighthouse Journey, guides readers on a path that will transform their outlook in life. A journey Sanden went on himself soon after turning 50. Despite leading a perfect life according to society’s standards and following each rule, Sanden still felt like there was something incomplete about his life. The lighthouse journey helped him see more than society teaches and tells us. In the book, he discusses the golden rules of life, which we are already are aware of but hardly find the time to apply in our busy and fast lives.
Sanden compares leading a good and meaningful life to building a majestic lighthouse. With every cornerstone and level of the lighthouse, he draws focus to an important practice in life, which can help readers find a positive path. Sanden writes about imperfections being the most human quality. We can make mistakes, but learning from these mistakes is the most important part of the process. Our imperfections can very well serve as our wakeup call and encourage us to strive for more, according to Sanden. For people who concern themselves to reach perfection, he suggests them to stop at the level of excellence and let go, rather than pursuing something that is only a theoretical construct. As per Rachel Meeks from The Art of Simple, here are several benefits of imperfection:
· Flaws help people relate to you. Who would you rather talk to about a problem — someone you know will understand or someone who would never have messed up so badly? One of my mentors said that it wasn’t until she started sharing more about her family’s struggles that other people felt comfortable opening up and sharing with her too.
· Making mistakes teaches your children that they can make mistakes too. If we had to do everything right the first time, we would never attempt anything. I love watching my little girl run around with her arms flailing and squealing with joy. I don’t know how many times she fell down while she was learning to walk. I want her to be willing to dive right in and try new things without expecting to do them perfectly. Letting your kids see you make mistakes teaches them how to react: do you get mad and upset, or do you fix it and move on?
· Imperfections make you more authentic. Be real. I’m not suggesting that we should dwell on our faults and failures, I just don’t want to hide them. Is there anything better than honesty?
· Admitting your mistakes strengthens your relationships. Asking for and receiving forgiveness is an important part of true, lasting relationships. Being willing to let others help you develop community, instead of trying to do everything yourself. Sometimes people won’t know how to help unless you ask.
· Overlooking shortcomings show your family that they are more important than things or agendas. I like how it’s ok to break a glass or to have extra laundry because of spills and stains. When my child runs to me, I want to scoop her up and hug her, not stop to ask “what’s that on your shirt?” I like it when she wants to help me wash dishes, even though it takes twice as long and I end up soaked in soapy water.
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