It isn’t always easy to meet the expectations we hold ourselves to, and just because we are devoted to following a spiritual path, attaining inner peace, or living a specific ideology doesn’t mean we should expect to achieve perfection. Each life experience is individual and dissimilar to another. Behaviors are shaped by these experiences, and we may never stop reacting strongly to the challenging situations encountered. A long line at the store, slow-moving traffic, or any other stressful situation can be unnerving and leave one wondering why the tranquility and spiritual equilibrium cultivated can so quickly dissipate. You may feel guilty 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. It is possible to gradually let negative thoughts come to mind, recognize them, and then let them go. By just simply being aware of experiences and recognizing that feelings are temporary, is the beginning to taking the necessary steps to regaining internal balance. Accepting that difficult situations will arise from time to time and treating reactions to them as if they are passing events rather than a part of who we are can help move us past them. Practicing this form of acceptance and paying attention to reactions to learn from them will make it easier for you to return to your center quicker in the future.
Doing the best you can in your quest for spiritual growth is vastly more important than striving for perfection. Even if we never reach a place of perfect peace, we can find serenity in having done our best.
Heart to Heart,
Rev. Addae