the hole in the plate

The other day someone gave me a whole bunch of cool things on a plate.

I took it all home, unloaded the plate and stuck the plate in the dishwasher. Awhile later the dishes were clean and I unloaded them (impressive, I know...).

I took out the freshly cleaned plate and put it where it was going to hang out until I could give it back to the person who initially gave it to me. It was a pretty plate; I hadn't been able to see it before because of how laden it was with cool things. It was white with some dainty designs around the rim. 

It looked like a very nice plate. Then I noticed the hole in the middle. I'd never seen anything quite like it. It appeared perfectly cut through the plate, exactly in the middle, about the diameter of a pencil eraser. It was kind of pretty looking- delicate, in fact- and awfully interesting.

The first thing I thought? "Wow, funky."

Then I thought, that "first thing" would have been SO different if I was caught in that horrible perfectionistc/panic-stricken place you guys frequently get stuck in. I'm thinking it would have been something along the lines of: "OMG! what did I do? how did I break that? what will they think of me? how can i fix it? where can I buy them a new one before next time I see them? how did I miss that hole? how am I such a loser that I let this happen?" and so on and so on and so on...

The reality is, who knows how the hole got there. Pretty sure I didn't put it there, but if it turns out I did, I'll certainly do my best to make things right- whatever that may mean- which, BTW, I couldn't possibly know until I talk to the owner of the plate and we discuss my options for making it right... No, my perfectionistic friends, it's not that I'm not smart enough, or cute enough, or fast enough, or thin enough... or anything else enough, to know how I'd make things right! The ONLY way to ascertain what "making right" can/will mean is for the owner and I to discuss it.

I'm very excited to see the owner of the plate and hear the story of how the hole got there. I bet it's a great story!

Comments

[leanonme]

Hmm a hold in a plate? There must be some good explaination for this.I could easily see how someone could spin out into all of the what if's? What a loser i am to have put the hole in the plate( even though im sure i had'nt) Yep spinning out. Now of course this is me , the one that can pretty much spin out about just about anything and everything. I think your point about sitting with not knowing and then being able to ask your questions is what i have a hard time with. I am trying to ask my questions as soon as possible because it generally does calm me down a bit. Information is Power i think was one of your bumper stickers at one point. Anyhow the hole in the plate probably has a perfectly good explaination. Im glad you are not going to fret over it. Just step back and go " Hmmm interesting" Your amazing.

[wendy]

I can so relate to your reindition of us perfectionists would go through! Had one of those experiences yesterday! Life would be simpler if we could just relax and process and ask questions.

[Courtney]

so... did you see the person whose plate it is yet? was it your fault? I can't believe anyone would give you a plate with a hole in it.