Your Best is Good Enough

 

Young black girl being her best

I watched the Grammys last night. I didn’t think I would watch the whole show, but Bad Bunny’s energetic opening hooked me. Many of the songs in the hip-hop segment brought me back to my childhood and college days, so I was dancing in my family room with the tv blasting! I am sure I woke up my husband, who was already in bed. 💃😊 And then there was Beyonce, Queen Bey, who made history by being the artist with the most Grammy wins of all time!

Watching this award show started me thinking about what it takes to be the best at anything. Being the best takes persistence, determination, skill, talent, discipline, and initiative. It takes the ability to take action, know and use your strengths, recognize your weaknesses, and surround yourself with people who can fill in the gaps.

Trying to be the best in anything adds a lot of pressure. I loved what Harry Styles said when he accepted his Album of the Year award. He said, “I don’t think anyone sits in the studio thinking, making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these.”  It tells me that he doesn’t make music thinking about being the best but creates the best music he can. He does his best, and by putting all his effort and talent into his work, he reaches his personal goals and fulfills his creative vision.

Growing up, I was a perfectionist and always wanted to be the best. I wanted everything to be exactly right. I didn’t take risks or explore new ways of doing things if I wasn’t sure of the outcome. Being a perfectionist limited my ability to express myself and use my talents fully and caused stress and anxiety. My mother would always say, “Elizabeth, just do your best. Your best is good enough.”

Just be the best parent YOU can be. It’s difficult not to compare yourself to others, but every household is different. Every family is different. Your life circumstances are unique to you. So when you doubt your abilities and question whether or not you are doing the right thing, ask yourself whether you are doing your best. If the answer is no, then how can you change that? If the answer is yes, take comfort in knowing you are doing all you can because your best is good enough.