One of the greatest dangers to living a happy, satisfied life is often disguised as a benefit: Perfection.

All too often, we decide to wait until things are "perfect" before we take the next step. The house has to be perfect before we throw a party. We have to find the perfect recipes and decor before we host the family Christmas dinner. We have to be able to afford the perfect house before we buy. We need to have a perfect redecoration plan before we clean the living room. We'll start an exercise program once we lose enoughweight to look cuter in our workout gear.  We need to have the perfect project and equipment before we start crafting — and then our first project has to be perfect or we quit. We can take a vacation until we can afford the perfect vacation of our dreams.

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with striving to do your best. But think of all the times that the need for perfection has kept you from doing something you really wanted to do. How often did you think about potential drawbacks rather than the possibility of joy?

In a way, I think that the glut of "lifestyle" shows and magazines bear part of the repsonsibility. They show images of perfection unreachable but those of us who lack unlimited supplies of money and tons of professional help. Of course the cake on the magazine cover looks amazing. A professional baker made 25 of them and this was the prettiest. Of course those gardens look great. They are tended by a staff of 8. Of course that person on television makes complicated dinners for friends. She's getting paid to do so because that's her job. Me, I have a full-time job and a full life. If my flower beds aren't edged regularly and changed with the seadons, life will go on.

And I'll still have friends over.