It isn't always easy to meet the expectations we hold ourselves
to. We may find ourselves in a situation such as just finishing a relaxing
yoga class or meditation retreat, a serene session of deep breathing, or
listening to some calming, soul-stirring music, yet we have difficulty
retaining our sense of peace. A long line at the store, slow-moving traffic,
or another stressful situation can unnerve you and leave you wondering why
the tranquility and spiritual equilibrium you cultivate is so quick to
dissipate in the face of certain stressors. You may feel guilty and angry at
yourself or even feel like a hypocrite for not being able to maintain control
after practicing being centered. However, being patient with yourself will
help you more in your soul's journey than frustration at your perceived lack
of progress. Doing the best you can in your quest for spiritual growth is
vastly more important than striving for perfection.
Just because you are devoted to following a spiritual path, attaining inner
peace, or living a specific ideology doesn't mean you should expect to
achieve perfection. When you approach your personal evolution mindfully, you
can experience intense emotions such as anger without feeling that you have
somehow failed. Simply by being aware of what you are experiencing and
recognizing that your feelings are temporary, you have begun taking the
necessary steps to regaining your internal balance. Accepting that difficult
situations will arise from time to time and treating your reaction to them as
if they are passing events rather than a part of who you are can help you
move past them. Practicing this form of acceptance and paying attention to
your reactions in order to learn from them will make it easier for you to
return to your center more quickly in the future.
Since your experiences won't be similar to others' and your behavior will be
shaped by those experiences, you may never stop reacting strongly to the
challenging situations you encounter. Even if you are able to do nothing more
than acknowledge what you are feeling and that there is little you can do to
affect your current circumstances, in time you'll alter your reaction to such
circumstances. You can learn gradually to let negative thoughts come into
your mind, recognize them, and then let them go. You may never reach a place
of perfect peace, but you'll find serenity in having done your best.
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