Joyce Dunn

Message From The Missing Piece



Posted: Sunday, January 24, 2010

by

Let me introduce myself. My name is Perfecta. Jenny thinks I'm her missing piece, and keeps desperately looking for me. She is so positive that she is badly flawed without me that she tries to fool people into thinking I'm not missing, that Perfecta is really a part of her. Don't you find it amazing, the ways people try to fool others and themselves? Really! What a waste of effort. And Jenny isn't the only one who thinks I'm a missing part of them. So many people are just positive that if they try hard enough they can claim me as part of themselves. And some of them are actually able to fool themselves...most of the time...into believing I really am a part of them. Let me tell you a secret. I'm not supposed to be an actual part of anyone. My real mission in life is to remain an abstract idea. A fantasy, if you will. If Jenny and all the others understood that, they would be so much happier and content. The other part of the secret is that when people do convince themselves that I'm a part of them, their lives are lonely. You see, if you fool yourself well enough into believing, most of the time anyway, that I'm a part of you, it creates a very large barrier between you and other people. See, as long as you realize I'm a fantasy, then it's OK to daydream about me being a part of you. But the minute you take me out of fantasy, try so hard to make me real, a huge wall goes up between you, other people, and really, all the good things you'd like to have.

Now, I have just one more thing to say, and it's really important, so pay attention. You need to be very careful whenever you hear someone saying part of my name. You know, the 'perfect' part. They will usually make it sound like a good thing, like it's something you really should have. But it's a trap. They may not intend for it to be a trap, but, trust me, it is. Perfect is not something anyone or anything can have, or be. It's a fantasy, remember? If you forget it's a fantasy, if you think it's something you can have, it will make you lonely and miserable. It's the other 'P' word that will bring you the things you'd most like to have. That word is progress.

Author's note: This piece was inspired by the book, The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstien

Joyce has been writing for her own enjoyment for many years, and only in the past few years has gained the courage to "go public" with her writing. She has had two books published, and is involved with the Fine Lines magazine as a special editor. Her writing primarily reflects her own experiences, or the life experiences she has observed in others. She has her own blog, New Post on my blog: http://jottingsfromjoyce.over-blog.com/ Then click on " view comments" in the green box to read the blog.

Her website is www.strinz.com/healing.

Joyce would like to add that she always welcomes constructive criticism comments.

This Article has been viewed 453 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)
» left by Gregory Lewis
 1 year 357 days ago.
138 fans. Follow Gregory Lewis on twitter!
I'm going to remember this wisdom. Thanks.
» left by Brianna Popsickle
 1 year 357 days ago.
I knew it! All those times my husband's told me I'm perfect, it's really just his fantasy!
Seriously, I agree with you Joyce, we're all too hard on ourselves trying to be perfect and making life perfect for those we love. Can't be done. Besides,  perfect is different for everyone. Interesting article Joyce.
» left by Joyce Dunn 1 year 357 days ago.
34 fans.
Thanks for the comment, Brianna. You're right, perfect can't be done, regardless of what your definition of that is. :)
» left by e
 1 year 354 days ago.
132 fans.
Shel Silverstien's book, "The Giving tree" is one that I like to give to all my little nephews and nieces, and actually all my older friends and relatives as well! 
» left by Joyce Dunn 1 year 354 days ago.
34 fans.
Thanks E, I'll have to check that one out.
» left by Linda DeWitt
 1 year 354 days ago.
Trying to be perfect for so many years is almost what killed me. Great article, thanks for sharing. Linda D
» left by Joyce Dunn 1 year 354 days ago.
34 fans.
It can do that, can't it? Glad you liked the article.
» left by Virginia Dunn from Kansas City 1 year 330 days ago.
Gives a person a lot to think about!!! Great writing!!!
» left by Joyce Dunn 1 year 330 days ago.
34 fans.
Thanks for checking in to SearchWarp. Glad you liked the article. I had fun writing it.
» left by Carol Fernandez
 183 days 20 hours ago.
18 fans.
This is great, intelligent, witty and wise.
» left by Carol Fernandez
 183 days 20 hours ago.
18 fans.
This is great, intelligent, witty and wise.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.