This I Believe: Perfection –Courage the cowardly dog edition.
In the
modern world, almost everyone grows up thinking that they have to meet some sort
of standard, everybody wants to be “perfect”.
We try to impress others and make ourselves something we are not, why is
this? Is it because we are trying to prove a point? I think we all try to be “perfect”
to show others that we are superior. This brings me to an episode of Courage
the cowardly dog, named “Perfect” coincidentally.
Courage is a little pink dog, that
lives in literally the middle of nowhere, with his rescuer Muriel, and her
husband Eustace Bagg (grr).The episodes begin with a conflict with Eustace and Muriel
(usually they get in to some sort of trouble), and then proceeds with courage
panicking while trying to find a solution, and then calmly ends with Courage
and Muriel safe and sound (and sometimes Eustace.) In this episode it’s a little
different , it starts with courage and Muriel in the kitchen , while Muriel is
making “food", when suddenly a teacher-like woman, named The Perfectionist appears. This woman
approaches courage, and bluntly tells him, that he is a disgrace, and imperfect.
(For whatever reason). She then tries to teach him to be the “perfect” dog. He
goes through many trials, such as trying to walk, talk and finally sleep perfectly. Yes. sleep. Which he
all fails, miserably. He is then scolded by the lady, which makes courage, very,
very discouraged. Even when he does sleep, he has nightmares oh how IMPERFECT
he is. The next morning a random fish is in his bathroom as he is brushing his
teeth and tells him this.
This makes courage confident. The
next time he meets with the perfectionist , she puts him through one last
test, and states if he fails, he will always be imperfect. Courage fails. But
he fails on purpose, showing he is proud of who he is. This is just too much
for the perfectionist and she finally just disappears. This goes to say that, it isn't worth all the
stress and trouble to be “perfect”, and be unhappy. When you could just be totally happy with who
you are, with being yourself.
I love Courage the Cowardly Dog! I think it's awesome the this childhood favorite inspired you to write on the topic of perfection. And in my opinion, despite what the Perfectionist lady may say, Courage is the most perfect and awkwardly pink dog ever.
ReplyDeletePlatonic perfectionism has created a lot of unhappiness in the world, I think. We can strive for our personal and collective best without comparing ourselves to an impossible ideal.
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