Being Real Being Perfect

Being Real > Being Perfect is an inspiring rallying cry for Christians to let go of pretending and enjoy a freeing, authentic relationship with Jesus and others. Are you tired of trying to be someone you’re not? Many of us spend a lot of energy—especially at church—trying to hide the fact that we’re struggling. We can’t share our marriage problems. Our addiction. Our sense of distance from God. In Being Real > Being Perfect, Justin Davis reminds us that God doesn’t heal what we don’t admit is broken. As he vulnerably shares his own story of redemption, Justin helps us understand: Why being real with ourselves, God, and others leads to peace and hope How faking perfection robs us of the transformative power of grace What the Bible says about insecurity and identity Step-by-step ways to overcome our fear of being vulnerable If you’re tired of trying to prove yourself, if you’re tired of wondering where the real “you” went, if you’re tired of knowing information but not experiencing transformation—discover the vibrant spiritual life you long for as you embrace the truth that being real is greater than you can imagine.

Anna Quindlen offers deep truths from her life to motivate and inspire you to become your most authentic self. “Trying to be perfect may be inevitable for people who are smart and ambitious and interested in the world and its good opinion. . . . What is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” In Being Perfect, Anna Quindlen shares wisdom that, perhaps without knowing it, you have longed to hear: about “the perfection trap,” the price you pay when you become ensnared in it, and the key to setting yourself free. Quindlen believes that when your success looks good to the world but doesn’t feel good in your heart, it isn’t success at all. She asks you to set aside your friends’ advice, what your family and co-workers demand, and what society expects, and look at the choices you make every day. When you ask yourself why you are making them, Quindlen encourages you to give this answer: For me. “Because they are what I want, or wish for. Because they reflect who and what I am. . . . That way lies dancing to the melodies spun out by your own heart.” At the core of this beautiful book lies the secret of authentic success, the inspiration to embrace your own uniqueness and live the life that is undeniably your own, rich in fulfillment and meaning.

Create the home--and life--you've always wanted with the help of popular blogger and author of Cozy Minimalist Home Myquillyn Smith (The Nester) as she helps you free yourself to take risks and find beauty in imperfection. Myquillyn Smith is all about embracing reality--especially when it comes to decorating a home bursting with kids, pets, and all the unpredictable messes of life. In The Nesting Place, Myquillyn shares the secrets of decorating for real people--and it has nothing to do with creating a flawless look to wow your guests and everything to do with making peace with the natural imperfection and joy of daily living. Drawing on her years of experience creating beauty in her 13 different homes and countless seasons of life, Myquillyn will show you how to think differently about the true purpose of your home, and simply and creatively tailor it to reflect you and your unique style--without breaking the bank. Full of simple steps, practical advice, and beautiful, full-color photos, The Nesting Place gives you the tools you need to: Cultivate a home that works for you and your family Transform your home into a place that's inviting and warm for family and friends Discover your own personal style There is beauty in embracing the lived-in, loved-on, and just-about-used-up aspects of our homes and our daily lives--let Myquillyn show you how. Praise for The Nesting Place: "This book made me look at every room in my house differently, with a new lens of creativity and beauty and possibility. It inspired me to reclaim my home as sacred space, ripe with opportunities to celebrate and create memories and moments." --Shauna Niequist, New York Times bestselling author of Present Over Perfect and I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet "This highly personal account about embracing imperfection and finding contentment in your home is like sitting down with a good friend and talking about the stuff that really matters. The Nesting Place is full of approachable ideas, encouragement, and a whole lot of heart." --Sherry Petersik, home blogger; bestselling author of Young House Love

For many of us, perfectionism can bring life's most desired rewards. But when the obsessive need for perfection and control gets in the way of our professional and emotional lives, the cost becomes too high. Although many of us appear cool and confident on the outside, inside we are in emotional turmoil, trying to satisfy everyone, attempting to direct the future, and feeling that we are failing. In TOO PERFECT, Dr. Allan Mallinger draws on twenty years of research and observations from his private practice to show how perfectionism can sap energy, complicate even the simplest decisions, and take the enjoyment out of life. For workaholics or neat freaks, for anyone who fears change or making mistakes, needs rigid rules, is excessively frugal or obstinate, TOO PERFECT offers revealing self-tests, fascinating case histories, and practical strategies to help us overcome obsessiveness and reclaim our right to happiness.

What do Disney, Bollywood, and "The Batkid" teach us about how to create celebrity experiences for our audience? How can a vending machine inspire world peace? Can being "imperfect" make your business more marketable? Can a selfie improve one's confidence? When can addiction be a good thing? The answers to these questions may not be all that obvious. And that's exactly the point. For the past four years, marketing expert and Georgetown University Professor Rohit Bhargava has curated his best-selling list of "non-obvious" trends by asking the questions that most trend predictors miss. In this all-new fifth edition, discover what more than half a million other readers already have: how to use the power of non-obvious thinking to grow your business and make a bigger impact in the world. "Non-Obvious" also delves into the curation process the author has used for years to build his trend reports and takes readers behind the scenes of "trend curation" -- the art of adding meaning to isolated beautiful things. In the end "Non-Obvious" is a book that will show you how to think different, curate your ideas and get better at predicting what will be important tomorrow based on learning to observe patterns in the world today. -- From publisher's description.

It’s hard for teens to be happy when they’ve created a very narrow window of what defines success. The goal of this helpful book is to encourage teens to maintain their desire to achieve without striving to always be perfect and to appreciate and love who they are just as they are, not for what they do or accomplish. Finding a balance between work and play is key. Challenging perfectionism is about the pursuit of happiness. When teens can recognize that perfectionism is a disadvantage, they can become motivated to do something about it. For many, it may just be shifting the perfectionism a bit to land in a more positive place. It might be about deciding when and where to be slightly perfectionistic, when and where they can let go of high standards and all-or-nothing thinking, and when it’s okay to simply do a “good enough” job on something.

Vanessa's voice is so relatable as she shares her struggles with perfectionism and being a God-fearing Christian, along with her wins, and the tools she uses to fight these battles. You're sure to find great encouragement and insight from this book. You Don't Have to Be Perfect is a powerful book that breaks down the lies of perfectionism (a tool from the enemy) and how this destructive habit plays a negative role in our lives much more than we ever knew. Vanessa shows us how to flip these lies and habits into positive truths! If you have ever battled the opposing voices in your head, the ones that confuse you and keep you stuck, then this book will bring you great comfort.

Do you have trouble going to bed at night when there’s a mess in the kitchen? Do you think you would be happier if only you could lose weight, be a better parent, work smarter, reduce stress, exercise more, and make better decisions? You’re not perfect. But guess what? You don’t have to be. All of us struggle with high expectations from time to time. But for many women, the worries can become debilitating–and often, we don’t even know we’re letting unrealistic expectations color our thinking. The good news is, we have the power to break free from the perfectionist trap–and internationally renowned health psychologist, Dr. Alice Domar can show you how. Be Happy Without Being Perfect offers a way out of the self-imposed handcuffs that this thinking brings, providing concrete solutions, practical advice, and action plans that teach you how to: • Assess your tendency toward perfectionism in all areas of your life • Set realistic goals • Alleviate the guilt and shame that perfectionism can trigger • Manage your anxiety with clinically proven self-care strategies • Get rid of the unrealistic and damaging expectations that are hurting you–for good! Filled with the personal insights of more than fifty women, Be Happy Without Being Perfect is your key to a happier, calmer, and more enjoyable life.