Better than you think

We had the opportunity to listen to a regional broadcast for Stake Conference yesterday. We heard from President Snow, Elder Holland, Sister Beck and President Packer. It was really wonderful. But the talk that struck me the most was given by Sister Beck.
She said she had prepared a folder full of notes, but was restrained from writing a "talk". Instead she began to speak what thoughts and feelings she had. The first thing she felt impressed to say is that "You are doing better than you think." She discussed that thought for a little while and then went on to say that the second thought she felt impressed to share is that, "You aren't doing nearly as well as you could be doing." (that might not be the direct quote, but it's the gist of what she said)
At first the thoughts seem contradictory. But upon further reflection, I realized that they are a loving reminder that we need to embrace the Atonement of our Savior.
We get caught up in the "lists" and all of the things that we should/could/aren't doing perfectly. We paralyze ourselves with frustration and discouragement. We forget that perfection isn't the finish line,
perfection is in the process.
We are doing better at the "list" than we think.
But in our frozen frustration, we fail to reach out to the One who has already paid the price. He who suffered, struggled and sacrificed for our shortcomings- who has already made up the difference between where we are and perfect.
Perfection is in the reaching.
Perfection is not in the doing, perfection is in the believing. Perfection is in the faith.
And "we are not doing as well as we could be doing."
Let go of the "list". Let go of the expectations, the discouragement, the doubt, the fear. Allow Faith and Hope and Love to swell around you and in you. Become who you were meant to be. Become who you have the potential to be, right now, in this imperfect body/life. Become Perfect.