Doing the Best You Can

Doing the Best You Can Try not to expect perfection when starting out on a spiritual path or attaining inner peace. 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. [PRINT]( [SAVE]( [DISCUSS]( --------------------------------------------------------------- DailyOM Course Spotlight [Sneaky Ways You Sabotage Yourself]( by Terri Apter Do you sometimes feel like you are getting in your own way or that you are your own worst enemy? If so, you may be acting in ways that sabotage yourself. By taking the time to recognize the damage you do to yourself and understanding the underlying reasons for this behavior, you can get closer to the things you truly desire and become your most powerful ally. This empowering course will help you identify how you are sabotaging yourself, provide you with everything you need to break the patterns that are holding you back, and guide you in building a future that is filled with self-acceptance and love. By the end of the journey, you will have overcome any self-defeating behavior and be well on the path towards getting what you want in life. [Learn More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Top 10 DailyOM Courses 1. [Shakti Warrior Dance for Healing]( 2. [Surviving Your Dysfunctional Family]( 3. [Beneficial Stretches for the Inflexible]( 4. [The Art of Intuitive Tarot]( 5. [A Year of Rumi]( 6. [What Women Need to Know About Men]( 7. [Pelvis Reset for Lower Back Pain]( 8. [The 9 Minute Science-Based Workout]( 9. [Re-Parent Your Inner Child]( 10. [What to Eat Over 40]( New Courses • [Recipes to Let Go of Sugar]( • [Belly Dancing Goddess Workout]( • [How to Write Your Truth]( • [What Dreams Really Mean]( > [More Courses]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Home]( | [Inspiration]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( | [Gift Shop]() [Email Settings]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Help/FAQ]( © 2019 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission. Subscribed as {NAME}[at]gmail.com (1276706) [1]