What does the word “defective” evoke in you? Does it make you think of things that need to be returned, exchanged, or even destroyed? According to Dictionary.com, defective means “having a defect or flaw; faulty; imperfect; a defective machine.
Checking further, defect means “a shortcoming, fault, or imperfection; lack or want, especially of something essential to perfection or completeness; deficiency.”
Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I even WANT to be perfect—but I guess that’s neither here nor there. We were discussing defects, and how we define them. 😉
Here are some definitions of character defects that may or may not work for you; I’m embarrassingly imperfect. 😉
1. Old coping skills: Something that worked when we were younger and defenseless (hiding from a stressful situation, not talking, etc.) may not work anymore. It’s up to YOU and YOU ALONE to decide what your old coping skills are and whether or not you are ready to let go of them. You may be powerless, but you ain’t helpless any longer. That’s a fact.
2. Assets gone astray: You might feel a genuine desire to help someone that can turn into a need to fix him. See how that can happen? Your genuine desire to keep things neat and tidy can turn into a need to shriek at someone for not using a drink coaster, or it could turn into obsessive-compulsive disorder (disclaimer: I am not, nor have I ever been, a shrink. I only visit one). Maybe you have a lot of knowledge about something and you genuinely desire to share it, but you do so without being asked . . . a lot.
If we look at character defects in this way, we can pray for balance. We can talk to our Higher Powers and ask that these parts of ourselves be straightened out with His (Her? Whomever you pray to) help.
Instead of berating ourselves and taking out the wet noodle, we can recognize that we are growing. We see that something we used to need we no longer do, and we seek for balance in our lives. That’s pretty damn good, if you ask me.
Peace out, and have a fantastic Saturday. I know I will.
Recovery Along Route 66 
Reblogged this on My Blog.
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Don’t put added pressure on yourself over the blog chain. We love you whether you pop in — or not.
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Nicely done, Chris. Lately God has been working on me to understand the difference between being “righteous” and “self-righteous”! Ouch!
IF He ever gets that straightened out in me, I wonder what we’ll be working on next…
It’s nice to be reminded that we’re an ongoing process. Thanks for that.
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Oh, Carol, if I even forget that I’m an ongoing project and I’m unfinished….I think I might just throw my hands up and give up. Thank you so much, girlfriend, for reading and commenting. I’m having a tough time. Haven’t kept up with this blog, let alone the blog chain. 😦
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I like how you define character defects. Too often we beat ourselves up instead of finding a healthier way to handle life. The more we heal, the safer it feels to practice our new ways of relating and coping.
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Thanks! And you won a virtual ((((((hug)))))))))))) and a copy of my short story “Damaged.” If you will email your address to me at aslanzzcub@yahoo.com I’ll send you a copy straight away! 😀 Hope you like it.
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Defect is a label that belongs on a machine, not a person, and certainly not a girl with big blue eyes who was just born. Birth defect is a label I’ve lived with all my life and I hate it. I like your thoughts on character defects, especially since there’s hope for fixing them. Then again, they’re harder to repair than my physical flaw that the surgeon could fix with his skilled hands. But my scars will always be there, both physical and psychological.
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I am so sorry you were labeled that way, Lisa. People can be so stupid. And, lovey, I have scars too, of my own doing, but scars nonetheless. I don’t let them define who I am. I am much more than my scars. I’m Abba’s Child, a child of the KING. What could be better than that? But – I think I already gave you a copy of damages 😦 Not fair that you commented first. Remember? I wanted your reaction on it? By the way – It’s still “In process” at Glimmer Train, which means it still hasn’t been rejected. Good news – good lookin’ out, God! lol
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