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“Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood.” – Kahlil Gibran

“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.” - Winston Churchill

Perfection: the highest degree of proficiency, skill, or excellence

Spring is here! Well…… kinda. Sorta.

OK, OK, you’re still spending more time in your rain boots & slicker than in your flip-flops, but that’s no excuse to be gloomy!  Even here in LA we are being drenched with downpours that bring to mind the “Perfect Storm”, but I am determined to find JUST that amid the grey & gloom.  Perfection.

Some say it doesn’t exist at all.  I protest (loudly) that it does!  Perfection has nothing to do with having a sublime physique, or a foolproof career path.  Perfection is neither the absence of mistakes, nor the procurement of all the right answers.  It does not involve having that elusive utopian relationship, or grasping all your lifelong goals.  In fact... Perfection Itself, is not perfect at all.  It is rather, a choice.  A decision to be happy, and to tirelessly seek out joy.  Even amidst the most stormy or desperate of circumstances.

In the quote above (one of my favorites) Gibran brilliantly defines ‘perfection’ as a verb.  An action.  It has purpose, energy & momentum.  Perfection can be explained by one simple yet dynamic act: “Advance”.  And do it fearlessly.  We can all realize perfection, simply by taking the first step.  Bliss is not about reaching a destination.  In fact, by Gibran’s definition, One can never actually “arrive” at perfection, because in doing so, one would cease to “advance”.  The beauty of life and love is in the journey.   In that courageous first step.  The choice to be happy, and to share that bliss and compassion with each person we encounter… from our dearest loved ones, to the barista that makes our lattes.  And yes, even to your least favorite ‘ex’ who dumped you via payphone then trashed you on facebook.  Extending love THAT far is the pilgrimage of perfection, and the gateway to our own prosperity.

I know Churchill claims that “they” can’t make up their minds, but I believe those that come down on the side of “practice makes perfect” are absolutely correct.  We should practice our happiness every day.  And just like with any practice, this is usually no easy task.  It is challenging to exercise felicity.  Some days… more challenging than others.  But we MUST practice.  Everyday.  Every hour.  Every moment.  We must drive ourselves to overcome any and all external factors beyond our control, and valiantly pursue the light.  We can’t always subjugate the circumstances of our environment, but we CAN regulate the manner in which we react to them.  We can choose….. even in a failing economy, or amidst a devastating breakup… to seek out the joy.  To find the delight.  Believe me…. It exists.  Whether it is in the company of a friend, or in a smile from a stranger that reminds us we are important.  We are significant.  We matter.  Beauty & joy exist all around us.  Even in the eye of the storm.  Especially there.  It is THERE that we learn what we are truly capable of.  What we can endure, and how we can thrive. To persevere in the heart of chaos; in “the perfect storm”: that is perfection.  The adventure.  The voyage.  The advance.  Happiness is everywhere.  We just have to train our eyes to see.