You may use this image in your ezine or website if you choose to publish my article. Click here to see the picture full-sized.--- Mark Susnow

Many years ago I had one of those experiences that you never 
forget. It shows up in so many areas of my life. I was a trial 
lawyer for 30 years and have been a musician since I was seven. 
Most people would say I am comfortable in front of people. But 
even now, whenever I'm in front of people, there is an inner 
conversation going on that I do not want to have. It is always a 
variation of "can I do it" or "will it be good enough."

This experience occurred when I participated in a weekend 
workshop sponsored by the Actors Institute which was designed to 
increase one's ability to give better presentations. The 
participants included actors, musicians, comedians, lawyers and 
politicians.

After a long weekend of exercises designed to "stretch" us we 
were required to give our presentation. We then critiqued our own 
and each others performance. Without exception, our critique of 
our own presentation was much harsher than the groups. The 
instructor commented that if we had to hire ourselves we would 
never get a job!

We are so hard on ourselves. The truth is, in the process of 
trying to be perfect, we often focus on our imperfections and 
sometimes that is all we see. Because of this fear of being 
imperfect, we procrastinate and agonize over seemingly easy 
tasks. My wife Annie reminded me of a story that illustrates this 
point.

The master lived quite a distance from the stream. Every day his 
servant, the water bearer, would walk from his master's house to 
the stream with two large pots, each hung on opposite ends of a 
pole which he carried across his neck. One pot was perfect and 
always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the walk, 
while the other pot had a crack in it and arrived only half full.

This went on for a full two years and the perfect pot was proud 
of its accomplishments, but the poor cracked pot was ashamed of 
its imperfections and of the fact that it was only able to 
accomplish half of what it had been made to do.

Finally the cracked pot summoned up enough courage to have its 
own conversation with the water bearer. It went something like 
this. " I am ashamed and I want to apologize to you for I have 
let you down. Because of my flaws you have had to do twice as 
much work." But the water bearer would have nothing of this 
conversation. "Did you notice the beautiful wild flowers along 
the path and did you notice that these beautiful flowers were 
only on your side of the path?" That's because I have always 
known of your flaws and I took advantage of them and planted 
flower seeds on your side of the path and every day you watered 
them. And these beautiful flowers that you have watered everyday 
grace the master's table. Without you being just the way you are, 
he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws and in our own way we are all 
cracked pots. With all our imperfections we create a lot of 
beauty and good in the world. Perhaps what real courage is all 
about is not letting our fears and imperfections stop us. Instead 
of procrastinating we confidently take the next step.

Imagine experiencing your imperfections in a different way-- as 
gifts or unique opportunities. Identify an imperfection in your 
life that gets more attention than it deserves and discover what 
gift is hidden in that imperfection. From this new vantage point 
imagine what could be possible?

Let me know what you discover. I love receiving your many 
responses and feedback and if you have other stories to share let 
me know about them. Feel free to pass on this letter to the 
friends in your circle and let them know about the advantages of 
being on the journey.

Journey On

Mark 
mark@inspirepossibility.com
(415) 453-5016 

Mark Susnow has a unique background… A former successful trial 
attorney for 30 years and musician, he integrates what it takes 
to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to 
him through years of yoga and meditation.  As an Leadership 
consultant and inspirational leader, Mark provides inspiration 
and motivation to many business leaders and professionals. He 
knows what it means to have the courage to have a big vision 
and what it takes to accomplish it. Phone: 415.453.5016
http://www.inspirepossibility.com