Does your best stop you from doing something good? Do you get hung up on one minor thing that keeps you from giving, doing or pursuing? Are you stopped in your tracks by your “not good enough” attitude?

Expectations are good. None of us should settle for mediocrity. We should strive to do our best – but what I’m trying to lead you to think about is when your expectations are too high and they strangle you from doing something kind, generous or maybe even something that would move you forward in life.

Recently I decided to bake my first batch of Christmas cookies. I mixed them, cut them out and let them cool. I was going to frost and decorate them and put them on a pretty Christmas plate, and take them to my ladies’ group.

But I had to make a trip over to the neighbor’s house first. On my way out the door, I glanced at the bag of cookies and thought, I should take those cookies to my neighbor. I can make more for the ladies’ group next week.

I walked halfway to the counter and then realized, those cookies weren’t perfect. They had no colored frosting, no pretty sprinkles, no cool patterns; they were just plain-Jane sugar cookies cut into stars and Christmas trees.

I thought again. Who would want unfrosted Christmas cookies? How ridiculous to think anyone would want something so plain. He won’t like them, you’re not giving your best, don’t even think about giving those unfrosted cookies away.

I turned around, and when I was just about to walk out the door I felt a nudge to go back and get the cookies anyway and give them to my neighbor. I picked up the bag, tossed them up on the dash of my truck and left.

We finished our business and I said, “Here are some cookies, but they aren’t frosted or anything. I hope you like them anyway. You’re probably a frosting person, aren’t you?”

He looked at me and said, “No, I like very little frosting. In fact, when I eat cupcakes or frosted cookies, the first thing I do is smear the frosting off.”

I smiled as I got back in my truck and was thankful I listened to that nudge to share the cookies.

My “not good enough” almost kept me from sharing a simple Christmas token with a neighbor. Don’t let your “not good enough” rob you of the blessing of giving.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.