[Daily OM]: 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.