By Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar | Posted: July 17, 2019

The feverishness for perfection often makes you miserable. If you’re vigilantly pursuing perfection in people, things, and situations, you’re bound to be anxious and angry.

It isn’t possible for all things to be perfect all the time. Even the best, greatest actions performed with the noblest intentions can have imperfections. The tendency of the mind to hold on to imperfection makes our feelings and minds negative. Wisdom lies in getting out of these cycles and staying untouched and strong within.

Opposite values

This world functions through opposite values. There would be no value for pleasure if there were no pain. Something or other will always be present to upset you. Sometimes, it could be the behavior of a family member or a friend. Or it could be a neighbor causing problems. And if it isn’t the neighbor, then it could be the dogs living nearby who keep barking all night. 

If you’ve made a habit of getting frustrated, no one can save you from misery. No matter how good a place is, you’ll still be unhappy if you’re caught up in negativity. You can get out of it with your own self-effort and the help of knowledge of life.

The world appears imperfect on the surface but underneath, all is perfect. Perfection hides; imperfection shows off. The wise will not dwell on the surface but will probe into the depths. In a state of ignorance, imperfection is natural and perfection is an effort. In a state of wisdom,  imperfection is an effort; perfection is unavoidable.

Change your perception

You need to change your perception rather than trying to change the people or situations you come across. People have the right to be imperfect. You have no business correcting them. If you live in society, then it’s only natural that sometimes you will get praised and sometimes blamed. 

At the workplace, you cannot expect your boss to behave in a way that’s convenient for you. Suppose you have a boss who has taunted you three to four times, then you make a perception about him or her and start behaving in a reactive mode. This tendency to perceive imperfection in others creates imperfection in your own actions and inner space.

Room for imperfection

Acceptance means creating room for imperfection just like we keep space for garbage in our homes.

The only way ahead is to do the right action and accept people and situations as they are. The moment you accept a situation or a person, the mind becomes calm and you get a clear space to think and act rather than react. 

This secret formula of acceptance shouldn’t be mistaken for advocating passivity. It’s all about taking proactive action with a calm state of mind, about the ability to think everything through first, instead of acting rashly out of frustration. The finest balance in activity is possible only when the right action is taken without a disturbed state of mind. 

So get frustrated with neither people nor yourself. Keep up your enthusiasm and act when and where it’s needed.

This article was originally published on Linkedin.