Thomas Leonard, founding guru of the life coaching profession, developed a program around "The Perfect Life." In his writings, he acknowledges the cultural bias we have about the word "perfect." But he says it IS possible to have a perfect life, and in many ways our lives are already perfect.
When we think about having a perfect life, however, we may get tripped up with the notion of perfectionism. Perfect is a very relative term and very personal. Perfectionism can be cultural, when we try to be what everyone else says we should be, rather than who we are. Perfect is our own definition and we alone decide what would make a perfect life for ourselves.
So if I were so bold as to think that I could actually craft my perfect life, what would I create? I, like many of us, limit what we even THINK we can have in our lives. Leonard's intention is to rattle us into a new way of thinking. And rather than use "softer" words such as "authentic, genuine or great," we stick with "perfect." There is power in using the word perfect and to see that perfection is by our own design, free from cultural definitions.
The idea of a Perfect Life is not alien to Religious Scientists. Ernest Holmes, in The Science of Mind, writes frequently of perfection. It is the real state of being; complete so that nothing is wanting. IT is ideal faultlessness; the divine attribute of complete excellence. We are whole, perfect and complete...regardless of appearances, as we are individualized expressions of God.
Holmes recommends that we meditate daily on the Perfect Life, and to daily embody the Great Ideal, which is a royal road to freedom, peace and happiness. "Let us learn to see, as God must, with a perfect Vision and say to ourselves: Perfect God within me, Perfect Life within me, which is God, come forth into expression through me as that which I am; lead me ever into the paths of perfection and cause me to see only the Good.
By this practice, the soul becomes illumined, acquaints itself with God and is at peace. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect."
Thomas Leonard takes the idea of a Perfect Life, and focuses on the pragmatic. He asks: What's perfect in your life right now? Then he asks, "What if your whole life were that perfect?" Now we have a starting point to look at what's currently working, and develop a plan to create that same perfection in other areas of our lives.
We examine our lives. Let's say we draw up a list of elements, some of which are already perfect and some we would like to perfect. Perhaps we can have a perfect office, a perfect career, a perfect relationship. We narrow down what we want to work on and shift into action mode. Then we can use these elements, the perfect and the soon to be perfected, in a poem, collage, painting or other creative work...along with words that make them memorable. This helps to build energy toward manifestation of the perfect life that we desire.
With intention comes inspired actions. It's not so different from the familiar Science of Mind mantra: "Treat and Use Your Feet." Declare your truth, your intention in affirmative prayer, and then be proactive. One element at a time, shift and lift into The Perfect Life.
And so it is.
