There’s something breathtaking about witnessing the pure, unadulterated presence of another – to see their naked soul unfiltered. But, ironically, this purity also requires seeing, accepting, and valuing their imperfections. We pollute our true essence whenever we hide behind our masks and various pretenses in order to fit in and look good.
Of course, there’s a place to put our best foot forward. And we’re not being inauthentic or fake when we take care of ourselves and seek to offer the best version of ourselves to others. But we’ve gone too far when we feel we must hide our quirks and idiosyncrasies to be loved and accepted.
To be sure, not everyone is going to look like a model, have the mind of a rocket scientist, or sing like an angel. And we miss true connections with each other whenever we feel we must look and play the part, or else hold ourselves back.
Purity here is allowing our true selves to be seen without shame or hiding – including our blemishes and stutters, our off-key singing, dry humor, messiness, and the like. Whatever it looks like, there’s beauty in our imperfections.
And it’s through these imperfections that we can fully encounter each other’s souls. These are some of the limitations of modern technology. While technology might be able to produce technically perfect songs, art, or literature, it lacks soul. It’s too perfect and becomes off putting. What’s endearing about the work of others is that their soul, including their imperfections and quirks are embedded in it as well.
And it’s these eyes of purity that we’re trying to gain as we see and interact with each other – for us to live with such purity of being ourselves, while allowing others to do the same. The illusion of perfection keeps us disconnected from the love and belonging we were made for.
In the end, learn to celebrate the purity that comes through our imperfections – dropping our masks and allowing all our particular quirks to reveal the true essence of our souls.
