Perfection- a destination we'll never reach.
It can be so easy to fall into always seeking a destination, where every single thing is perfect. A destination where we finally reach happiness; we get the perfect career, the perfect relationship, we become the perfect person. But this perfection that we seek is just not attainable. If perfection becomes our destination- it is somewhere that we will never reach.
Instead, we should look to the path of progress.
I recently listened to a talk about Islam and it was one of the most enlightening and inspiring talks. Click the link here if interested. One point that struck me was the distinction made between the invitation to Islam in the Quran. As opposed to inviting people to a destination, in Islam the Quran teaches us to invite to a path, to the Way of Islam. Because, not everyone is in the same place, everyone faces their own journey and is on different parts of this path. So we invite to it, and not to one place in particular.
The same can be applied to everything in our day to day lives. Just as in faith, everything we do is on a path. Our careers, our relationships, our self growth. Everything is a journey. Some people may move slower than others, some are faster. And in some aspects in life we may move fast, and in others slow. But what matters is that we’re moving. We’re on this journey and we are going forward.
It’s important to remember that this movement, this progress is not measurable. Occasionally, it may be external: things that we see. Perhaps your progress was in that you worked really hard and for that you got promoted. Here we have observable and measurable progress. But most of the time, this is not the case. Sometimes this progress is internal. Day by day this progress may be occurring in our souls. Our souls may be becoming lighter as we try our hardest to do good each day. Or we may be learning and educating ourselves, but that internal progress is not measurable.
So be kind. Be the one to water the seed of progress in the souls of others. Don’t allow yourself to judge and be frustrated if you don’t see that progress in yourself, and even in others. Because its only God that can truly measure it.
And when you can’t see the process, remember to keep moving, keep doing what you can- and never give up. Perfection is not a goal we want to attain. But growth is. Whether that be observable, or not. And growth does not come with pressure. Growth is natural, so don’t feel guilty for “not growing”, because what’s within, you have little knowledge of.
Enjoy the journey and all that it brings, enjoy the path and what is now. Because thats what this life is- a path. Stop looking to a destination, it’s not to be reached. Look around you and enjoy what is, because there’s so much goodness in everything that is now.
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