We can walk through life denying our imperfections or wallowing in them. These extremes can bring unnecessary suffering and disconnects us from humanity. When we acknowledge, accept, and work with our imperfections, we have a little more compassion for others.

I’m fascinated how many false prophets and healers come forth with a “new” way of healing. They charm others with their curated and flashy media and make false promises of healing. But we remain tormented. The wisdom of the ancients has transcended time. It points us to the True North.

Patience is not only a virtue, but it is also a gift. Patience stretches our faith wide and deep, creating tears within us that give space for God to fill. When we release our demand to have our needs satisfied quickly, we develop inner strength as we rest in the unknowing.

How wonderful life would be if we didn’t insult one another! Yet sometimes we get easily offended by things that have nothing to do with us. Or we get offended because society tells us we should feel upset. If we walk around expecting everyone to tread carefully around us for fear of upsetting us, we’ll never learn about ourselves.

It’s a common desire in the U.S. to be “free” to do what we want. But we also need to remember that what we do can have a profound impact—good or bad—on others. Rather than recklessly choose to engage in behaviors that might bring harm to ourselves or others, let’s remember that our actions create large ripples in the communities in which we live.

Many of our desires are rooted in the material. Even if food is an essential need, we DESIRE something delectable. If we need comfort or security, we DESIRE the sexual. If we aim to desire things rooted in the spiritual, what we receive or attain is more sustainable.

We like “hacks.” We like easy. We look for shortcuts to things. But as quickly as they come, like a downpour, they will quickly fall away because we don’t give them time to take root. With the spiritual life, we must progress slowly, enduring the disciplines and teachings so they can permeate deeply into our souls.

Mind you, I hate driving. Rather than ruminate how much I hate it, I use as practice. We can practice one-pointed focus by having zero distractions and using the silence to concentrate on the road. Other times I use podcasts with the understanding that certain podcasts will engage a specific mood. This way, the time isn’t wasted because you are being intentional with your choices.

How tempting it is to do things for attention! When we live our lives onstage through social media, we look for ways to shock others. We live exaggerated lives. Yet this is not sustainable. Instead, we seek balance, which uses discernment to choose wisely.

So often we get mired in our trials that we forget moments of beauty. We easily believe in negative thoughts, which bring more activation of our disappointments. But a voice, a text, a picture, or a song can catapult us out of our tornado of negativity. By recollecting a fond memory without clinging to it, we can remember the beautiful fluctuation of life.