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 like a hypocrite for being unable to maintain control after practicing being centered. However, patience with yourself will help you more in your soul’s journey than frustration at your perceived lack of progress. Doing your best 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 evolution mindfully, you can experience intense emotions such as anger without feeling that you have somehow failed. By being aware of what you are experiencing and recognizing that your feelings are temporary, you have begun taking the necessary steps to regain your internal balance. Accepting those difficult situations will arise occasionally and treating your reaction to them as 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 to learn from them will make it easier for you to return to your center more quickly.

Since your experiences won’t be similar to others and those experiences will shape your behavior, 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.