Pondering Imperfection

As I walked past the magnolia pods at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, I pondered imperfection.
Ornamental horticulturists strive for floral perfection.
But sometimes malformations occur, like this cosmos that looks like a butterfly.
Or this cosmos with an oval center, rather than a round one.
Petals can be deformed, not unfurling as expected.
Why do we hold on so tightly to the idea of perfection?
We aren’t cookie-cutter images,
nor need we try to be.
We are allowed to be who we are,
with different facets to our personas.
We are an amalgam of genetics, environment and intention.
But we are also each amazing,
unique
and loved.

Photos © Sondra Sula.

Take a walk with me by reading my daily devotional book, Meditations on Mendocino by Sondra Sula. Available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle versions.

If you’d prefer a daily river walk, Reflections on the Fox River and Beyond by Sondra Sula, might just be the book for you.