From the 2025 Asian American Mental Health Conference "Navigating Transitions with Faith and Resilience: Asian American Mental Health Across Life Stages." This lecture is by Sonia Prasadam, titled "The Grip of Perfectionism and the Freedom of Grace," recorded January 17, 2025. Find out more about the conference here: https://ptsem.edu/academics/centers/center-for-asian-american-christianity/2025-mental-health-conference/.

Abstract: This session brings to light how striving for perfectionism can quickly move from being something that motivates us, to being something that fills us with anxiety. We will look at some of its root causes such as “the fear of failure,” “fear of being judged by others,” and “feelings of shame,” which might emerge in adulthood, but develop throughout childhood. We will then see the beauty in experiencing failure, and how it might be even necessary as part of our Christian walk – an invitation to experience Grace, an invitation to learn dependence. 

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