TELEOS is the Greek word used in the Bible for perfection. However, it's meaning is much different than the dictionaries definition, "without flaw." The biblical definition is, "becoming all that you were created to be."
Teleos is accepting that your flaws give you character.
![IMG00176-20100816-0521[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlsXhVZJKckEUD9JZzIu6wc-Z8IM_tT925TedUnNJLD3aqoHWKiQgD-647uDlzgJYstGMnXJQgUm4TPrz28lUf2krHW7JOwNifBfYFiNZ312JZSpoHQVEuQUn8LGxjeeIl_kmRVeOMYxj/s1600-h/IMG00176-20100816-0521%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.jpg "IMG00176-20100816-0521[1]")
How's this hair and eye puffs at 5am? Character….heck ya!
Teleos is trying to be a better wife, daughter, and friend even though you tend to say the wrong thing or become a little too OCD (sorry hubs).
Love you mom!
Teleos is accepting that you maybe not be the best runner, triathlete, yoga guru, etc. but you won’t give up because it's your passion, your joy! And it is a part of you, a part of your character!
That picture above would be my awesome looking toes from running. Check out the bruised toenail. Doesn't that toe just scream Character??? ha!!
And finally, Teleos is loving what you are becoming. Not looking back and not looking ahead. Focus on the NOW, the PRESENT, WHO GOD IS CREATING YOU TO BE!
This was us four years ago in New Zealand. Before our journey towards Teleos TOGETHER began.
Okay and just to be comical, wanna know how to get left over veggies and salad (that are almost expired) to experience Teleos?
You throw them in stir fry!
1-2 cups chopped purple cabbage
1-2 cups chopped romain lettuce (yes you can cook romain)
1 cup chopped carrots and celery
1/4 cup chopped nuts (I used cashews)
coconut amino or GF tamari/soy sauce (to taste)
a spoonful of grapeseed oil
garlic, black pepper, and red chili pepper seasoning
1 small can wild caught crab meat
1 egg
1 bunch broccoli sprouts to top (optional)
TOSS EVERTHING in the pan and STIR FRY
Are you done with striving for perfectionism? I like you the way you are and who you are becoming! YES, that’s my corny side shining bright!
Cheers,
LC
p.s.
playlist tomorrow. told ya I was working on it, right?
74 comments:
I do need to work on that, I tend to want to be perfect at many things so I can take an all or nothing attitude. This sets me up for disappointment.. Beautiful post as always!!
That picture of you guys in NZ is gorgeous... the bliss on your face is radiant! :) And teleos kind of makes me think of what my yoga instructor told us about in class last night, ahimsa, the concept of doing no harm (violence), even to yourself. By accepting your flaws as a lovely part of yourself, you are practicing ahimsa. A quote I heard a long time ago that I just love is "we are all damaged and beautiful." So true!
Lovely post!!! This hit home for me. With not being able to get done everything I would like to lately and me having to get to the place where I accept that, as well as enjoying the ride of who I am becoming. Whoa...that was a long sentence. Thank you for sharing your insights!
Oh, and you look lovely even at 5 am, hun!
I NEEDED THIS RIGHT THIS SECOND! I was starting to stress because I am anything but perfect today and I was being a little hard on myself. It really is about being here now and not looking back or forward. Your posts always enrich me and make me leave feeling so happy and so hungry ha! Love you girl!
teleos! i love that! and you are stunning, eye puffs and all. really, i didn't even see them and then you pointed it out.
LOVE this!!! I seriously need to post this word everywhere I go. You know I have such issues with perfectionism, me and my Type-A problem! This is an awesome post, girl. And PS. You still look way better than me at 5am. I was a hot mess this morning, no way was I getting near a camera!!
Awesome post! I really have a very hard time with accepting that being all that I can be does not have to mean perfection. I mean, who really defines perfect anyway right? It's mostly just in my head. Winning a race doesn't truly mean you're the best either. What if the best just didn't run that day? Just getting out there and trying makes you the winner (gotta remind myself of that one!).
Great post! I love that picture of you and the hubby- you look so radiant! I definitely have my flaws, but am constantly trying to be a better person-more kind, and help others!
Great Post! Striving for perfection is such wasted energy. I'd rather work with what I've got and be happy about it!
Love this post! I sometimes call myself a failed perfectionist because I want things to be perfect and I know there not going to be so I don't do them :/ But I'm working on doing the things I want to the best of my ability and being happy no matter the result, happy that I "had the courage to start."
Looks great :)
ah... I LOVE this post! still smiling from it, after reading twice :)
and if that foot doesn't say you're a runner, I don't know WHAT does. I have had many red socks and bruised toes... :D
ummm i definitely still strive for perfection. i know i'm okay with who i am now but i really want to be perfect ;) at least i'm not as perfectionista as i was a few years ago. i've definitely mellowed out. i love the biblical definition of telos!
i definitely need to realize that i wont be the best at everythign but i am my own best at something.
:)
Love it! This is definitely something I need to keep in mind, as I'm constantly looking either backward or forward, and never at the now.
You are even beautiful at 5 a.m with no make up! Loved this post. Thank you. Made me happy. I just read a blog by Petra at Run Petra Run and it is along similar lines to just accept yourself for what you are and for your best and not comparing yourself to others. I love how you mentioned not looking back but looking to what God has planned for us to be! I needed to read this today. I loooove you blog Lindsay! Oh, and Janae shared that TM chart thing that you sent to her...awesome conversion chart.
Great post!
I love this outlook on perfectionism. It's a way healthier perspective!
p.s. I think your hair looks fabulous at 5 in the morning!
So true. And it's hard to focus on the present when the future holds so much. And thank you!
I had a toenail that looked JUST like that about two weeks ago and now it is gone...a missing toenail, now THAT is character :-) I really enjoyed this post, I am in college and sometimes get caught up in trying to be perfect and over-focusing on classes...I rather enjoy the idea of teleos.
very interesting. I have a type A personality..I know poor Husband of mine. I used to be focussed on so called perfection. But since having the kids and even more so since having 2 surgeries and being told I have a tumor on a kidney within the fist 6 mos of me turning 40, I have learned to let perfection go...not 100% but close enough!
I love you and your positive outlook on life! This post is great. And I love how cute you and the hubs look in that picture. So happy. :)
Love the last photo of you two before you became your Teleos journey together...it really says it all!
I sometimes find myself striving to much to be perfect. I always setup myself of for failure....hopefully this year I will do better at not trying to be perfect all the time :) We shall see...
Love the New Zealand picture. So cute. Totally agree with your post. We don't need to be like anybody else just our best selves. Thanks.
I love that!! I have never heard of that concept before but It is such a great way to live. Trying to become the best version of you is way better than trying to become what you perceive to be perfect. You're awesome, and that stir fry looks BOMB!
Such an amazing post! You really know you got this Classicist all pysched by using a Greek word! It's so hard to do sometime, but you're right--we need to accept what God made us as and then strive to use that to glorify Him!!
Also, the word "perfect" doesn't mean "without error". It comes from the Latin words, "per" meaning "through" and a form of the verb "ficio" mean "completion" . So it really means "complete"--same concept as teleos! ok..nerd out!
I'm all for the teleos! I used to call myself a perfectionist (and I was even kinda proud of that)...but I am so glad I outgrew that!
I feel like at this point, I've gotten pretty good at being more in the moment and not attaching myself to outcomes...this helps with not trying to be perfect, but just trying to be the most Me I can be. Phew, how's that for corny? :)
Great post---I loved this!
When I graduated from college my parents gave me a necklace that says "The more joy you have, the nearer perfect you are." It seems like you guys have a lot of joy in your life, so I'd say you are working your way towards perfection! :)
Great post! I used to be the perfectionist queen! Like, it used to totally rule my life! I've gotten better (haha, sounds like I went to Perfectionism Rehab), but it still creeps up on me from time to time without me realizing it. Life is just too short to worry about being perfect!
I love that last pic of you and the hubs! Soooo sweet!
Lindsay, you have such great insight for us! :) Thank you for that!
I love this. As I think many endurance athletes can attest to, perfectionism can be crippling. Love this thought and thanks for sharing!
I love the word. I'm going to keep it in mind all week!
Loving my laugh lines, crow's feet, and furrows more after reading your post today. I have CHARACTER! I love that pic of you without make up first thing in the morning. It's real and honest, and inspiring! I love your blog :) :) It makes me happy :) :)
Ha, no one is perfect! Thats why pencils have erasers and why their is hair dye and concealer! You posts alway make me smile!
Thank you for your comment and what serendipity - I love this post and it's EXACTLY the kind of idea I am moving towards. You're on my feedreader now and I'm following!
ahahhah funny post!! and i LOVE that stir fry thang~!
Awesome post!!!!!!!!!!! I love the actual definition of Teleos! =D
Can I get an Amen up in here??
You (and I) are perfect...in God's eyes...just as we are.
I just wanted to say that I think you are really wise :) You always have good stuff to say, thank you :)
Kind of sounds like the name of a Spanish soap opera:) I love, love the pics. How cute are y'all. My sad little runner's toe is glad it has a friend with yours, lol.
Love the "teleos"!!! I may need to work on thinking before I speak and not being OCD with the Husband as well!
Teleos might be my new favorite word :-)
I was going, "Uh huh, yes, me too" this entire blog (minus the marriage-specific parts lol). This reminds me a lot of my new year's resolutions and just how I like to live my life in general these days.... not trying to be perfect, living in the moment, etc. All great!
You looked fresh faced at 7:45AM - that's for sure! Loved your class this morning. Wish I could do it everyday. Love what you said about you and James starting your Teleos journey together. As newlyweds, Billy and I have been focusing on growing together in our relationship with God. It's a very cool thing!
Ohhhh the last picture of you two from NZ is just the sweetest thing... I would blow that up poster size and hang one in every room. :)
I like Teleos, what a great way to think about life!
your wavy hair is so pretty!
I will be on the next flight. Can you imagine...doing our long run on the trail near your house together?!?! THat would be heaven!
Lindsay, wow I loved reading "Teleos is accepting that you maybe not be the best runner, triathlete, yoga guru, etc. but you won’t give up because it's your passion, your joy! And it is a part of you, a part of your character!"
Honestly, its exactly what I need right now to be reminded of. When I taught my first yoga class i realized some of my words werent as accurate, maybe some of the cues i gave were a bit off or werent explained as well. But seeing this, i can see how working towards perfecting my cues wouldnt be necessary, and in fact isnt going to help much if i focus on that. as long as im doing my best i can in the given situation, then the students will pick up on that, and understand the message im trying to send.
yay for this post giving me another AH-HA! moment <3
Teleos. I really like this! And I love your corniness- it's so refreshing and honest and sweet! And you are beautiful- even at 5 am! Love that picture. lol
I'm not out of the perfectionist mindset YET, but I'm working on it. It's hard but I'm getting a lot out of reading other blogs for new thinking- like yours! Again, refreshing. :)
I'm not a particularly religious person, but I do agree with you. I really think that we should love ourselves, but always be striving for improvement. Otherwise, we just become stagnant and "old." I really dislike the excuse "That is just the way I am. I'm too old to change." Whatever! If it is hurting others or yourself, maybe some change for the better would be good!
I love this post! Reading what you had to say about not being the best, but doing it because it's your passion and brings you joy brought a smile to my face. I hear ya! This actually reminds me of a list of words I stumbled upon one time that are words in foreign languages with their meanings that English doesn't have a word for. It was really very interesting :)
XOXO enjoy your Friday!
I absolutely love this! I am so with you! I have lived my entire life trying to be perfect and not let people down...I am exhausted and give up. I am now going to just be me. I have to accept that I will not make everyone happy all of the time, but I also have to understand that I have to respect myself and my beliefs. It doesn't do anyone any good if I try to be something I am not just to make someone else happy with me. I also have recently learned that some people aren't worth my pain. I am not perfect. I am completely ok with that. Oh and that fact that I just wrote that without crying...makes me feel even better about it.
i love the idea of working towards what God has created you to be! lovely pictures :)
You are beautiful, at 5 am in the morning or out at night :)
awww LOVE THELOS!!!
I just lost a toenail today, and instead of being super bummed about not cute feet...I SMILED because they are me! hehe!
I hope you have an awesome weekend!
xoxo!
Hey! Thanks for the comment on my blog - glad I found you guys.
I love the idea of Thelos - makes so much sense and lets me be OKAY with my imperfections and flaws.
I like Thelos, what a great word. It is 100% healthier than perfection I think - accepting who you are now and not looking backward or forward and staying in the here and now. Good one.
Glad you had such an amazing Friday night girl....love doing nothing too:)
Oh, wow. Never heard of that before and I love it...it is implanted in my heart and taking root. THANK YOU.
I have SO many teleo-embracing veggies in my fridge (I always do) and I accept them ith gusto until the one day where something just pushes it. I always think "life is too short to eat bad produce" and away it goes.
Oh, wow. Never heard of that before and I love it...it is implanted in my heart and taking root. THANK YOU.
I have SO many teleo-embracing veggies in my fridge (I always do) and I accept them ith gusto until the one day where something just pushes it. I always think "life is too short to eat bad produce" and away it goes.
You are beautiful, at 5 am in the morning or out at night :)
I love this post! Reading what you had to say about not being the best, but doing it because it's your passion and brings you joy brought a smile to my face. I hear ya! This actually reminds me of a list of words I stumbled upon one time that are words in foreign languages with their meanings that English doesn't have a word for. It was really very interesting :)
XOXO enjoy your Friday!
I will be on the next flight. Can you imagine...doing our long run on the trail near your house together?!?! THat would be heaven!
Teleos might be my new favorite word :-)
Thank you for your comment and what serendipity - I love this post and it's EXACTLY the kind of idea I am moving towards. You're on my feedreader now and I'm following!
Loving my laugh lines, crow's feet, and furrows more after reading your post today. I have CHARACTER! I love that pic of you without make up first thing in the morning. It's real and honest, and inspiring! I love your blog :) :) It makes me happy :) :)
Lindsay, you have such great insight for us! :) Thank you for that!
When I graduated from college my parents gave me a necklace that says "The more joy you have, the nearer perfect you are." It seems like you guys have a lot of joy in your life, so I'd say you are working your way towards perfection! :)
I'm all for the teleos! I used to call myself a perfectionist (and I was even kinda proud of that)...but I am so glad I outgrew that!
I feel like at this point, I've gotten pretty good at being more in the moment and not attaching myself to outcomes...this helps with not trying to be perfect, but just trying to be the most Me I can be. Phew, how's that for corny? :)
Great post---I loved this!
I had a toenail that looked JUST like that about two weeks ago and now it is gone...a missing toenail, now THAT is character :-) I really enjoyed this post, I am in college and sometimes get caught up in trying to be perfect and over-focusing on classes...I rather enjoy the idea of teleos.
You are even beautiful at 5 a.m with no make up! Loved this post. Thank you. Made me happy. I just read a blog by Petra at Run Petra Run and it is along similar lines to just accept yourself for what you are and for your best and not comparing yourself to others. I love how you mentioned not looking back but looking to what God has planned for us to be! I needed to read this today. I loooove you blog Lindsay! Oh, and Janae shared that TM chart thing that you sent to her...awesome conversion chart.
ummm i definitely still strive for perfection. i know i'm okay with who i am now but i really want to be perfect ;) at least i'm not as perfectionista as i was a few years ago. i've definitely mellowed out. i love the biblical definition of telos!
Love this post! I sometimes call myself a failed perfectionist because I want things to be perfect and I know there not going to be so I don't do them :/ But I'm working on doing the things I want to the best of my ability and being happy no matter the result, happy that I "had the courage to start."
Love the New Zealand picture. So cute. Totally agree with your post. We don't need to be like anybody else just our best selves. Thanks.
i definitely need to realize that i wont be the best at everythign but i am my own best at something.
:)
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