I was on my way out the door today when I happened to check my text messages. I’m glad I did; I was alerted to the fact that the Vietnam Veteran’s Association was coming by to pick up the donation pile from my entryway.
I had set myself an e-mail reminder for yesterday morning, reminding me that this was upcoming. I read it and told myself, oh yeah, I need to remember that. I had set myself an SMS reminder for 11 pm last night, reminding me that this was coming. I didn’t hear it because I was charging my phone.
So this morning, trying to make a streetcar that was due in less than ten minutes, I had to haul several boxes outside and label them for the VVA.
The thing is, I’ve achieved a general level of organization such that this was no big deal. I grabbed some paper from the office, a sharpie and some tape from the mail center in the kitchen, got the boxes outside and labeled, and I even (if barely) made my transit connection.
Why, then, was I cursing myself out as I boarded the streetcar? Beating myself up for my chaotic ways is just such an ingrained habit, I start in on myself without realizing it. Besides, it’s not like I would have been the only person, EVER, in THE ENTIRE HISTORY of the VVA pick-up service, to forget to set out a donation.
I did good today. Even though my system failed me, I was able to compensate because of the strides I’ve made over the past few years. I don’t need to expect perfection from myself. “Good enough” is plenty good enough.