On Being Better

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s been turbulent times. I had tears of joy and hope in my eyes last Tuesday as I cast my ballot for a woman for president. And I spent most of Wednesday in tears, weeping for what we had lost and all that we might lose.

On Thursday I got on a plane and went to BurlyCon. Being insulated from the outside world for four days with some of my favorite strippers gave me a chance to revitalize and reflect. I’ll write up my adventures, but not just yet.

In the days following the election I’ve seen some people take small actions toward making change and be scorned by some who say it’s not enough, they’re not really committed. Because of that, the former feel like they might as well not do anything.

No matter how we strive for perfection, we shall never attain it. That’s just the nature of perfection.
Scratch reminded me of this verse from Leonard Cohen:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.

If we waited to be perfect, nothing would happen. What we can do is try to be better. At BurlyCon I did a book signing (which was wonderful — my first author event!) and I inscribed the books “Keep being better!” “Being better” is part of my personal philosophy and I hope you consider incorporating it into yours. Just be a little better, a little kinder, a little more thoughtful, learn something new, move out of your comfort zone a little, challenge yourself, let in the light.

M2