I see perfectionism as everything needing to be in its place--Not necessarily in the house, but more in a sense of the feeling that I have to have arrived. Everything needs to be in its place in our Principle Approach studies. The very nature of studies in this method involves showing me that what I thought was 'in place' isn't. It involves God showing me things that are 'out of place' and allowing me to learn through thinking through problems. Jesus taught like this when he told the story of the good Samaritan. No one would expect a Samaritan to be the one who would help a wounded man. Should he be our neighbor? He teaches me like that all the time--through the unexpected. Perfectionism leaves no room for the unexpected.
Excellence on the other hand demands that there are certain things I do. Like spending time with God in prayer, and that I be obedient to the direction he gives me. Excellence may demand that I take a nap outside and listen to the birds and see what God wants me to learn there. Perfectionism tells me I can't do that--I have dishes to do.
I can see by the dishes in my sink I don't suffer from "perfectionism"! haha Perfectionism vs. Excellence is the lesson learned in the story of Mary and Martha. That is a new rabbit trail yet to be followed...
There is only one thing I am assured of, and that is I am only perfect in Christ. To strive for perfectionism is an unattainable goal, leading to frustration and imminent failure. Perfectionism disregards the value of the process and seeks the end as its primary goal.
God already knows what the end will be, for He sees the beginning from the end (Isaiah). Excellence differs from Perfectionism in that it focuses on virtues and quality of character, whereas perfectionism focuses on skill and the end result.
God is interested in developing our Christian Character. There have been exceedingly talented and skillful men who have gone to hell because they neglected the journey of excellence in character and virtue training.
Perfectionism is a facade. Someone can act one way, but inwardly believe another. Such deceptions will always be revealed, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." When our backs are against the wall,and there's no where to turn but up, how we have endured the character training of excellence will determine our failure or success.
I know better than anyone I am not perfect, so I strive for excellence that I may be the fragrance of Christ wherever I go.
I am not sure what I did. I simply clicked on your site and began typing. I have a user name and account with yahoo, but I don't know if that is what gained me access to your blog?! Maybe my google gmail account gained me access? It may be worth a try if they are having trouble through other routes.
I am trying to get my curriculum ready for the fall...only 2 weeks to go, and I don't feel sufficiently prepared! I will be a little slower at my SDS posts, but be assured, I will post as I can. Currently I am working on the difference between Inspired Consent vs. Compulsory Compliance. This topic has everything to do with the Revolution and what we are studying this year, so I am going to camp out on this for a while. It is very exciting, and I look forward to posting my findings. I believe this is the key to our homeschooling! my regular email is canadanika@gmail.com, so we can chat more often there...Thank you for hosting this study. I am really enjoying our conversations. I very much appreicate your perspective and scholarship! I know I have much to learn from you. Blessings in Christ, Danika
I think we got him set up although I don't see him here yet. He is excited about joining us. I hope it works out. He's someone from whom we can all learn. Thanks for the help. I'm looking forward to your comments on Biblical consent vs. compulsory compliance. I believe that's something we all struggle with--especially with our own children.
Thanks for these comments. I have learned this concept before but not with these labels. I learn that my goal is developing character rather than teaching skills, and I immediately get caught up in the tasks at hand and forget. I eventually remember again and forget again, and remember and then forget. I also remember that the character development is at least as much if not more for me than for my children. My children are God's obstacle course set for me to stretch my Christian maturity. I faulter and stumble through it most of the time and pray that our gracious God will make my children resilient and see the purpose of God for them despite me instead of because of me. I see frustration in myself and my children when I demand perfection, but I have yet to figure out how to demonstrate and instill excellence. I can't wait to find out. My soul yearns for it! --Alex
I think it helps to remember that academic performance really only follows character development. If our children aren't emotionally in tune with what we are doing, they won't get that much out of it. If they understand that God created them individually for a purpose and they understand that they have a responsibility to develop those gifts God placed within them and they are pursuing that of their own accord, the learning will follow. Sometimes this takes a lot of time and persistance instilling Biblical principles of character within them.
8 comments:
I see perfectionism as everything needing to be in its place--Not necessarily in the house, but more in a sense of the feeling that I have to have arrived. Everything needs to be in its place in our Principle Approach studies. The very nature of studies in this method involves showing me that what I thought was 'in place' isn't. It involves God showing me things that are 'out of place' and allowing me to learn through thinking through problems. Jesus taught like this when he told the story of the good Samaritan. No one would expect a Samaritan to be the one who would help a wounded man. Should he be our neighbor? He teaches me like that all the time--through the unexpected. Perfectionism leaves no room for the unexpected.
Excellence on the other hand demands that there are certain things I do. Like spending time with God in prayer, and that I be obedient to the direction he gives me. Excellence may demand that I take a nap outside and listen to the birds and see what God wants me to learn there. Perfectionism tells me I can't do that--I have dishes to do.
I can see by the dishes in my sink I don't suffer from "perfectionism"! haha Perfectionism vs. Excellence is the lesson learned in the story of Mary and Martha. That is a new rabbit trail yet to be followed...
There is only one thing I am assured of, and that is I am only perfect in Christ. To strive for perfectionism is an unattainable goal, leading to frustration and imminent failure. Perfectionism disregards the value of the process and seeks the end as its primary goal.
God already knows what the end will be, for He sees the beginning from the end (Isaiah). Excellence differs from Perfectionism in that it focuses on virtues and quality of character, whereas perfectionism focuses on skill and the end result.
God is interested in developing our Christian Character. There have been exceedingly talented and skillful men who have gone to hell because they neglected the journey of excellence in character and virtue training.
Perfectionism is a facade. Someone can act one way, but inwardly believe another. Such deceptions will always be revealed, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." When our backs are against the wall,and there's no where to turn but up, how we have endured the character training of excellence will determine our failure or success.
I know better than anyone I am not perfect, so I strive for excellence that I may be the fragrance of Christ wherever I go.
I really enjoy your comments, Danika.
Danika, Do you have another blog? Or how did you get your user name? I'm trying to help someone else get on.
I am not sure what I did. I simply clicked on your site and began typing. I have a user name and account with yahoo, but I don't know if that is what gained me access to your blog?! Maybe my google gmail account gained me access? It may be worth a try if they are having trouble through other routes.
I am trying to get my curriculum ready for the fall...only 2 weeks to go, and I don't feel sufficiently prepared! I will be a little slower at my SDS posts, but be assured, I will post as I can. Currently I am working on the difference between Inspired Consent vs. Compulsory Compliance. This topic has everything to do with the Revolution and what we are studying this year, so I am going to camp out on this for a while. It is very exciting, and I look forward to posting my findings. I believe this is the key to our homeschooling! my regular email is canadanika@gmail.com, so we can chat more often there...Thank you for hosting this study. I am really enjoying our conversations. I very much appreicate your perspective and scholarship! I know I have much to learn from you. Blessings in Christ, Danika
I think we got him set up although I don't see him here yet. He is excited about joining us. I hope it works out. He's someone from whom we can all learn. Thanks for the help. I'm looking forward to your comments on Biblical consent vs. compulsory compliance. I believe that's something we all struggle with--especially with our own children.
Thanks for these comments.
I have learned this concept before but not with these labels. I learn that my goal is developing character rather than teaching skills, and I immediately get caught up in the tasks at hand and forget. I eventually remember again and forget again, and remember and then forget. I also remember that the character development is at least as much if not more for me than for my children. My children are God's obstacle course set for me to stretch my Christian maturity. I faulter and stumble through it most of the time and pray that our gracious God will make my children resilient and see the purpose of God for them despite me instead of because of me.
I see frustration in myself and my children when I demand perfection, but I have yet to figure out how to demonstrate and instill excellence. I can't wait to find out. My soul yearns for it!
--Alex
I think it helps to remember that academic performance really only follows character development. If our children aren't emotionally in tune with what we are doing, they won't get that much out of it. If they understand that God created them individually for a purpose and they understand that they have a responsibility to develop those gifts God placed within them and they are pursuing that of their own accord, the learning will follow. Sometimes this takes a lot of time and persistance instilling Biblical principles of character within them.
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