Perfectionism (newsletter response)

[Guest guest]

Being a perfectionist I often analyze things. Since I am tired all of

the time I have plenty of time to analyze and think. I wanted to ask

a question of all and see what you thought.

Let me explain...

It seems that most of us with the common diseases that we have are

true perfectionists who have strived for many years to nurture

families and friends. Often we are the ones doing everything and love

doing everything because we cannot stand things not being done, or

cannot stand seeing them done wrong. It has been my perspective for

many years that it was this perfectionism that has led to FMS/CFS and

the like. It seemes so obvious to me that doing everything all of the

time causes stress and eventually one will break from all of the work

involved in being a perfectionist.

Last week I was thrown for a loop when I was watching a local news

show on tv. There were men and women on there who were perfectionists

and who were highly rated in their communities and who had absolutely

no signs or sympotoms of being tired. It didn't phase me at first but

the more I got to thinking about how this actually is caused by a

virus and is likened to have been fed by overachievers straining

themselves, I kept pondering over the fact that why these people on

tv were not exposed to it when I know for a fact I have met several

of them in person and they have been breathing the same air as me. I

realize I have a disposition because of the gene thing, but seriously

I couldn't get it out of my mind.

Then I had to rethink everything. I couldn't let it go. Then, after

reading Dominie's newsletter this morning it hit me. I realized

through the grace of God that gifts from God are abound and

constantly in my life. It is a grace, a gift to be able to see them.

Here is the Question...

Has anyone considered or given serious thought to maybe perfectionism

didn't help create the problem but maybe becuse God knew we were

going to be ill in our lives so he gave it to us as a grace to help

us after we became sick to keep us striving harder to do better

instead of letting us lay down and take it from this virus? I know

that I can be deathly ill but I will get up off the couch or bed long

enough to straighten a picture and endure the pain to do that when I

need help getting to the bathroom. It is like a drive inside of me to

perfect things. Not just that, but really I tend to get obsessed over

doing more and more simply because I don't know how much longer I can

do things. This is a grace to me simply because I know that my

perfectionism can help me get the most out of life while I still can.

I know everyone says I think too much but sometimes I feel like it

helps me cope. Perhaps I am making excuses but only God knows the

truth of his plans and what he has done or will do to help us survive

this life. So, have you considered this?

Stacie