Is There a Real Beauty in Stealing?
I have been thinking about the subject of imperfections as far back as the time I started to realize that some things were different about me but I had initially thought of them as differences. Why does everyone else have a natural enthusiasm for soccer? Since then, I have been trying to understand individuality and unconventionality. I had become worried before my confidence abounded while growing up. Of course, I had other differences but little did I know that these differences are conventionally tagged as imperfections. This sparked my interest and I wanted to know what imperfections really are. Is it okay to have imperfections? Are imperfections okay?
As I considered this subject, I found a profound metaphor that, “Humans are shapes.” If shapes were personified, none of them would claim it has the perfect shape. I decided to do more research by involving other people via WhatsApp, since my views alone cannot be deemed sufficient. I collected viewpoints from over 10 individuals. Their responses were interestingly cognitive. I am really fascinated about this subject because a proper dissection of it will help people, especially the very last people the world invites to be confident, to see their ideas go realized and their brightest dreams reached. People begin to appreciate individual differences. Love will grow and global peace would be promoted.
In the process of collecting views, I created a space that would stimulate critical thinking by quoting the words of top people in their respective fields and industries. One of the people I quoted is an American singer, Ariana Grande. “Be happy with being you. Love your flaws. Own your quirks. And know that you are just as perfect as anyone else, exactly as you are,” says Grande. One of the participants responded there are no flaws. Without knowing if he was in support of Grande’s view, I objectively received his responses. “Being you can be a flaw to someone else and being you can also be a perfection to another person,” he added. I became excited with his profound statement. “Is imperfection just based on perception?” I pondered. He went further to explain with a clear example. “The outspoken attribute that some people hate is the same attribute other people like. The idea of flaws is just based on people’s definition of what is considered normal,” he explained.
Another participant, who was analytical in his approach said he does not think human beings are perfect in any way, he went so far to say that he does not really think anyone is special. I became inquisitive to know why he made that statement. “The idea that a human being is special implies that people around that individual are less special. Humans are simply average people. Those of us who are considered to be great, which happen to be one percent are the ones that are streamed all through social media,” he wisely responded. His thoughtful opinion made me remember my mother, though not a public figure, but her greatness wowed me. From humble beginnings, she rose to become a successful business woman. He quickly added that the word ‘Perfection’ should be thrown in a dumpster.
In support of his views, another discussant who is artistic mentioned that perfection is an alien word that does not exist in reality with people. I had already concluded that perfection truly needed to be thrown away before another brilliant individual popped in. “If the term is thrown away, we will forget we are imperfect. We need something to remind us that we are imperfect,” he mentioned. He went ahead to point out that the world works because of our imperfections. Life would probably make less meaning if we were perfect and if everyone could do the same thing. In support of his premise, a keen participant who was really curious in knowing the final conclusion opined that if we were all perfect, the world would be dull. “Beauty lies in imperfections,” he added.
One of the discussants who provided a fresh perspective on the matter started by stating that, “What is deemed perfect by Mr A might not be perfect for Mr B based on individual’s background, knowledge and experiences.” “Nobody is actually perfect. Imperfections should be embraced. When we all know we have flaws, this will keep us from having insecurities and also from being jealous of others. And it will keep us from looking down on others. The fact that we are imperfect is what keep driving us to be better. Once we think we are perfect, we stop improving,” he said.
“Imperfection is beautiful depending on how you embrace it. Every individual has something that can be classified as imperfections but that seem to be what make us human,” says another participant who made use of his height as an example of imperfection. With a sharp acumen, another individual made another point. “If humans are perfect, the word ‘Social’ will not be in existence. If we are perfect, we can make things happen on our own. Team work is a function of imperfections. Imperfections are seen as weakness,” he opined. As finely handled by the young poet, Elizabeth Olojede, “Draw strength from your weakness, make it glow like it is the best thing that ever lived.”
Are negative emotions linked to imperfections? In order to produce a convincing article, I raised another question. One of the participants said that negative emotions are really not flaws. He blamed the people who put the notion that one should live a life full of positivity alone. “Our negative emotions like anxiety, anger and sadness are even important than our positive emotions. We should be grateful for our negative emotions. Anger, for example, is a good thing if motivated in the right way. Civil rights movements are spilled by anger,” he added. Another participant with a similar view uttered that, “You cannot fix everything about yourself. If you are naturally emotional, you cannot change it. You can only fine-tune it in a way that will work for your advantage.”
Some people mistake imperfections for bad habits yet there is a thin line between imperfections and bad habits. One of the contributors treated bad habits as behaviours that are cultivated over time. She emphasized they were not in-built. Another contributor who related bad habits to imperfections and who initially had admitted that the subject of imperfections is very broad, made me realize that anyone with that kind of ‘imperfections’ (like stealing and cheating) is outside the original scope of imperfections and such habits should be strongly corrected. There is really no beauty in stealing. Is there?
When I finally reached this point of conclusion, I sighed. Harmonising the different views was really a great work because everyone has made a lot of striking points. Unanimously, this article has been able to hammer out the point that we all are imperfect and we can never be perfect because perfection is perceived differently by everyone. According to a Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “We humans are flawed… We do not need first to be perfect before we can do what is right and just.” Permit me to end by stating this profound paradox that, “Humans are imperfect perfections.” And you need to be reminded that this article is imperfect as well. I wish I captured all the views. Thank you.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Special thanks to the following people (in no particular order).
1. Osedebamen Aigbedion
2. David Abraham
3. Davidson Seun-aina
4. Ife James
5. Ife Lee
6. Isaac Olowookere
7. Mayomikun Olawale
8. Victor Abayomi
9. Damilola Sholola
10. Emmanuel Adejokun
11. Victor Adesoye