Peace Amidst Challenges

Rev. Arlene S. Meyer
Aug 6
2 min read

The Pursuit of Perfection

We often stress about trying to be perfect. We aim for perfection in our work, personal lives, and especially in our spiritual lives. If only we could meditate enough, we might achieve it, but no one is perfect except God.

No matter how hard we try, nothing in our lives can ever be perfect. Sometimes we wait for everything to be just right before allowing ourselves to feel happy or at peace. But when we do that, we are never truly happy or at peace.

What Makes Life Perfect?

We might think that more money will make our lives perfect. However, wealthy people face many of the same issues as those with less, such as broken faucets, illness, or death. No matter how much money we have, things can still go wrong in life.

Maybe we aim for perfect health, but even healthy people still face issues. Computers break, roofs leak, or parents pass away. If avoiding life's struggles through perfection were possible, it would make sense to obsess over it, but we can't.

Progress Not Perfection

In recovery, I have learned that maintaining peace is essential, regardless of what is happening in my life. I can't wait for everything to be perfect to feel happy; instead, I need to focus on avoiding negative reactions to life's challenges. Since this isn't always easy, I strive for progress, not perfection.

When we feel discouraged by life's imperfections, it’s helpful to remember that challenges are a normal part of life. Nothing can be perfect, and we don’t need perfection to be happy—just peace and contentment with who we are and where we are. That’s the key to true peace and happiness.