Ideology and balance are incompatible notions. We human beings are rarely balanced. Every day I meet people driven by unconscious ideals, that to me seem illogical, unbalanced and extreme. I meet people who have: extreme views, extreme diets, extreme sports, extreme parenting, extreme makeovers, extreme spending and extreme indulgence.
A testimony to the personal blindness of humanity, can be seen in these lives often paralysed by perfectionism. I have spoken to some people about certain viewpoints and behaviours that are destructive, both to them and their loved ones, but to no avail. Usually, the realisation comes after broken marriages, broken minds and ruined lives.
Life would be so much more joyous if we realised, that there is no perfect marriage, no perfect kids, no perfect health or body, no perfect upbringing, no perfect friendships, no perfect career, no perfect house, or perfect world. We are living in a damaged world with damaged people. We have all to some extent been exploited by deeds that were either committed or omitted in our lives.
Often, we throw away the Good in search of the Perfect. We throw away contentment for the unknown of expectation. The good book says:
God has shown you man what is GOOD, and what he requires of you; but to love justice, to show mercy to others, and to walk humbly before God and all. Micah 6:8
Now that is GOOD. Intuitively I believe that if we follow that directive, we are destined to find balance, true perspective and lasting happiness.
© Rui Coelho
