The baggage of mediocrity

"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."

I am not exactly sure under what circumstances Marilyn Monroe said this, but these charming words have kind of become the magic wand of the modern generation, a wand that they have chosen to use without restraint to wave against anything that questions their mediocrity. While Monroe had the magnanimity to confess about her imperfections before expecting some magnanimity in return, the modern Monroes often like to think that magnanimity is one way, and that is towards them.

Even before we can discuss whether mediocrity and imperfection are avoidable, we must understand the difference between the two. If you are a mother taking care of your family in every possible way but not able to avoid throwing tantrums at home in spite of trying your best, you are just being imperfect, not mediocre. Attaining perfection itself would depend on many factors most of which may not be under your control, but the attempt towards attaining perfection is surely under your control and that pulls you out from the crowd that is content with staying mediocre.

Yes, even if you're the moon, this world is going to debate about your grey craters asking whether that's flaw or beauty, so while the debate can go on about the frame of reference in the argument on perfection, the argument on mediocrity is fairly objective. There may be enough room in this world for all our imperfections, but I am not sure how much does exist for our mediocrities. It may be alright to be imperfect, but I don't think it is, to be mediocre!