Perfectionism

This subject is quite a source of amusement to most people who know me. I'm such a perfectionist and have been called many names pertaining to that....won't go into all those haha. I'm such a details person and I always strive for things to be done the best possible way but I drive myself crazy in the process because its never perfect and never will be. Frustrating. I know its a personality trait and I've really tried to not let it rule me, but I think so much of it goes back to how I was raised. I was always seeking approval and was pushed to be the best. But I never achieved being the best, at least not in my father's eyes. Nothing was ever good enough no matter how good it was! Here's an example...I was Salutatorian of my graduating class. To most people that is a great academic accomplishment. To my family, it wasn't good enough...I was just 2nd best. All I heard was that I didn't work hard enough and I should have been Valedictorian. I felt like a failure. I have been trying to break those chains that have bound me all these years. Maybe thats why I push so hard on things...but nothing is really ever good enough. I know its a fault. I know I will never be perfect and I am most certainly far far far from it. I recognize that. I mess up alot. I make alot of mistakes. I'm most certainly not perfect. But I thank God for His Grace that covers me and His mercies are new every morning. He is perfect and thats all I need. I'm learning to turn it all over to Him and let Him have all of me including my imperfections. He accepts me. He is my success.