Finding Beauty in Imperfection

So the circus was in town this past weekend, and we went Saturday night. I live in a small town, so it was a small-town circus. Here's what struck me:

The performers, they tried hard, but there were lots of mistakes. The tiger show, for example, where the tiger tamer tried to get six tigers to lie down in a row, he had to do it twice because the smallest of the white tigers was being ornery and jumped up and disturbed all the others. And the trapeze artists--men in white body suits with red streamers coming off them--one tried to do a triple somersault and have another one catch him...tried three times and never got it. 

I don't think you see mistakes in big-name circuses. But here's the thing. The fairgrounds where the circus was held were absolutely packed. And how many kids had such a happy, magical night that night? And the crowd was totally with the performers...when someone would mess up a trick and then try again and make it, the crowd was so happy for them...probably got more enjoyment out of it than if the performer had done the trick right the first time. And all the performers--they're in the circus. They're making people happy. Living their dream. Who cares if their acts aren't flawless?

There's so much in our culture that tells you you have to strive to be the best and if you're not, you fall short, aren't really worth anything. My whole life has felt like striving and not ending up perfect. This whole fertility thing I'm going through right now is a perfect example, but just one of many.

I guess I have a soft spot for people, for acts, for circuses that aren't perfect, but still go out and engage in life, give it their all. There's something worthwhile in that, for sure.

XO

{Image credit: Sister 72.}