Letting go of “perfect”

Setting intentions

Cacao, or “drinking chocolate,” is part of a sacred ceremony from ancient Central + South America. There’s a lot that goes into a traditional ceremony… but for a simple practice, you can make a cup, set an intention, and sip as you meditate, contemplate or converse with others about what that intention is.

The morning I first opened Buttonwood, I had my first cup of ceremonial cacao. (It’s in the shop as part of the “sip with intention” collection.)

Setting my intention on the morning of Buttonwood’s opening.

My intention came to me quickly: Let go of “perfect.” That’s not what I expected would come out, but there it was.

It made sense. I’ve been putting my heart into this space for a quarter-year, protected by a closed door. I have had so much excitement to share it… yet with sharing comes vulnerability. With the door open, in come the people… but also the assessments, the reactions, the judgments.

Opening more than just the door…

We often think of judgment as a negative thing, but it’s really just a natural part of human behavior. I judge every space I walk into, whether I’m conscious of it or not.  Thus, I have opened the door here to the judgment of what (and who) is inside.

So yes, it was pretty important to let go of perfect. To accept that I’m going to learn and evolve with each passing day.

 
✢ ✢ ✢

Putting those intentions into practice

Letting go of perfect. It seemed simple enough. But it wasn’t until day 3 that I felt it: The moment of realization that there are a lot of parts that aren’t “perfect.” Accepting that will take some work.

In the process of getting to opening day, I had connected with several artists and creatives along the way. I invited a handful to come and grace the gathering space for a tea circle. I made a rough plan and got the needed supplies in place.

So when it came time to facilitate, there it was again: that realization that my ideal vision was not something my head was able to carry out in that moment. Instead, came the actuality of my intention: let go of that ideal. Let go of perfect. “This is why you’re here, after all,” the universe said.

The buttonwood gathering space.

From there, it was a joyful experience. There will still be pressure to carry out that which I see clearly in my head: That ideal vision. There is a pride associated with actualizing those visions. Sometimes it happens. When it doesn’t, it’s because there are things at work beyond our control… both inside of us as well as externally. 

I am grateful for the humans that sat at Buttonwood’s table last night, drinking tea and releasing the thoughts and feelings and habits that hold us back from the highest version of self. Each person played a significant part in the evening’s story, and it was confirmation that Buttonwood fills a space far greater than its walls.

✢ ✢ ✢

I’m not sure I’ve let go of perfect just yet… but I’ve released a lot and feel myself breathing more deeply—which I hadn’t realized I needed to do. 

Thank you to everyone who came out this first week. Because in the end, this is nothing if not shared. You’ve made it possible.

✨🌳✨

✦ Killeen ✦