In this episode of the Eternal Echoes podcast, host Katharine Rose speaks with Laura Padgett (73), a multi-published, multi-awarded author and dancer who knows a thing or two about struggling with perfectionism.

Laura explains that she has come to see perfection as a “queen who is held up by three handmaidens”: competition, comparison and control – all of which can be destructive to ourselves and our relationships.

She encourages listeners to knock the queen off her throne by adopting an attitude of gratitude for who God made you to be and the gifts He has given you. She also highlights the importance of self-awareness in relinquishing control and remaining curious when an unwanted behavior arises.

Throughout our conversation, Laura offers words of wisdom on learning to love ourselves, walking in reliance on God, overcoming fear, and more.

Wise words worth echoing:

-“Perfectionism will kill curiosity. Control will kill curiosity. Comparison will keep you from being curious about the things God wants your curiosity spent on.”

-“When you are on the altar for the Lord, you drop perfection, you drop precision, and you drop the pursuit of self. Now it's worship, praise, prayer, and oftentimes lament.”

-“The thing I want to do is start each day with gratitude for who I am, what I am, and the gifts I've been given.”

-“Begin to ask God, what are my gifts? And then take a chance. Step out."

-“Get a mentor. When it comes your time, be a mentor. Because this is how we continue to share that beautiful, sacred, feminine truth that we are all mothers to each other.”

-“Rely on God when things hurt, rely when things are strange, rely when things are uncertain.”

Connect with Laura: https://lauralpadgett.com/

Follow Katharine and Eternal Echoes:

Facebook and Instagram: @EternalEchoesMinistry

Substack: http://katharinerrose.substack.com

Website: www.eternalechoesministry.com

Email: ⁠⁠Katharine@eternalechoesministry.com⁠⁠ for speaking events or interviews

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPPCV5wMLAo