The Healthy Management of Reality - Stanford University
The Healthy Management of Reality - Stanford University
The Healthy Management of Reality - Stanford University
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Perfection as a guiding starOne <strong>of</strong> the problems in actively seeking the good is that many <strong>of</strong> us have atendency to envision only the extremes, and to be dissatisfied with anything else.In the case <strong>of</strong> the good-bad axis, many people act as if unless they reach perfection(the extreme end <strong>of</strong> goodness), they have failed (that is, they are bad).An antidote to this toxic way <strong>of</strong> thinking involves a metaphor: <strong>The</strong> ancientmariners used guiding stars to navigate toward their destination. But they did notexpect to ever reach those stars. Similarly, the images <strong>of</strong> what we (or our lives)would be like if perfect can serve as very useful guiding stars. <strong>The</strong>se images <strong>of</strong>perfection can take us closer to our desired destination, and help us get back oncourse if we stray. And, throughout our lives, they can help us reach the portstoward which we set sail: good grades in school, lasting friendships, satisfyingjobs, happy homes, a peaceful death. <strong>The</strong>y only become harmful to us if we expectto actually reach and remain forever after in a state <strong>of</strong> perfection on this earth. Asfar as I know, that is not possible. But I know that it is possible to spend shorterand shorter periods <strong>of</strong> time in the midst <strong>of</strong> emotional pain, and longer and longerperiods <strong>of</strong> time at peace. Toward this end this book is dedicated.HMOR.July2005.Muñoz.doc 28