Perfectionism vs Patience.

One of the symptoms (perhaps comorbid symptoms) of my son's condition is that of perfectionism and a sort of "all or nothing" type of thinking.

J's meltdowns will sometimes start off with some variation of "all or nothing" thinking and usually when he gets like that, we have to sort let it run its course because that "teachable moment" we often are seeking with him, is long gone by that time.   It's usually best to simply wait it out and he will eventually calm down on his own.

I can remember a time when I used to act and believe the same thing and unfortunately, the dream of perfection, is one which is paralyzing.
I remember having lofty dreams that would suddenly be dashed when I thought about and was told

• There was always someone who would do this better than me
• There would always be a chance that someone would criticize me  unmercifully for the work that I did
• Most likely, no matter how good I would get, there would be a        multitude of people who would %100 chance that no one would care about the work and wouldn't even pay attention to it anyway.

This last one stopped me dead in my tracks when I was younger and it kept me from doing things like practicing, drawing and writing or anything at all.  It loomed over everything I attempted like a vulture waiting to peck out my liver.  Sometimes, I still have trouble with it and yes it may be a good part in what I was told in my own past.

Yet, when I listen to the radio and or see some artist interviews, I hear of other people who are successful and are getting known, so what's the difference?  Perhaps the difference is keeping on with the work, and doing patiently and persistently and having faith that someone will eventually listen or see.   These artists simply value themselves and their own voice in spite of the incessant noise of negativity the pervades our lives these days.   With enough patience, persistence, and faith we can accomplish something more than what the world will tell us.