Satisfaction, not perfection

So, this is a tricky question… Having it all can mean having everything that one needs to enjoy life, not everything that one desires. That should include good health, meaningful relationships, a job that fulfills you, an intellectual and creative outlet. If I think it’s attainable? Yes, I think so. But what each of those things means to one person can vary deeply. It also depends on what stage of life one is. Life will pull us at different directions all the time. Remember, the only constant is that everything changes. I think we need to look more for satisfaction, not perfection.

Recognizing joy in small, ordinary things

The older we get, the more we are going to experience losses in our lives. Although it hurts, it also helps us put things in perspective. When we are young, most of us think we are invincible. That we will always have good health, or second opportunities, or even strength of will to carry on. But as time passes, we realize that none of those things are granted. For me, that has the effect of being grateful for the small things that bring me joy. It can be a sunny day that I get to spend at my backyard. Or it can be a cup of tea in a cold morning. Sometimes, it is a road trip that will take my mind off of work for a while. Those aren’t major accomplishments in life, but they make me happy. I will take any of those, any given day.

Making peace with trade-offs

At other situations, we need to choose one not so great alternative over our preferred choice. We may not have the money, or the time, or the resources to achieve what we really want. But can we live with another option? Most of the time, yes. So, let’s accept it, and move on. We do the best that we can with the resources available to us. Let’s celebrate that. Let’s embrace what is good enough when it serves our well-being.

Perfection is a moving target

In the end, we realize that perfection is a moving target. It often leads to frustration, burnout, and constant comparison. This is because it’s based on an ideal that doesn’t account for the messiness of real life. Satisfaction, on the other hand, invites presence. It’s about asking: What do I already have that’s enough? What genuinely fulfills me—even if it’s imperfect?

That’s why my aim at life is getting satisfaction, not perfection. When I have that frame of mind, I’m convinced I have it all.