It may be interesting to ask this of yourself and see what exists after the “obvious” answers of unlimited funds, success, a happy family life, and health. Other intangibles can make lives “perfect”, and surprisingly, aren’t impossible; they just seem to be for certain individuals. What some have in abundance and take for granted appears to be out of reach for others, and vice-versa. Some people want more friends, or a fuller social life, where others could care less or take their status in stride. Others wish they could have a different house, more opportunities, or peace of mind, and others never even think about such matters. But the fact is, few, if any, consider their life “perfect” for any length of time.

Some may think that a perfect life would consist of daily happiness. It’s helpful to remember that the really good times are few and far between, just like the really bad times. Most of average life is just, well, average. We probably couldn’t handle too much excitement because we’d be so giddy we wouldn’t get anything done; great passion and emotion have a negative effect on thinking clearly. Rarely do we get news that causes us to dance around, and it’s impossible to imagine living with grief that never subsides. Only a few, memorable moments have the ability to change the course of our lives – for good or bad. When something special happens, its infrequency makes it even more special.

Other people may think that if they work hard enough, sooner or later, they will obtain a perfect life. It’s frustrating when no amount of intelligence or diligence can capture what denotes a perfect life to them. When efforts are repeatedly stymied, a person has to wonder if fate has constructed brick walls in front of them, and if it’s worthwhile to question stumbling blocks. Sometime by looking above and around that wall there will be more to see, but it could be dead-ends, behind-the-scenes manipulation, or opposing goals. Regardless, it’s no fun to hit a brick wall, since it seems hard, formidable, unyielding and fairly permanent. In this case, a person can cede and accept that their life, in this particular area, will probably not be perfect. It’s not a mark of weakness, cowardice, or losing a fight. It’s realizing that the path they’d hoped to travel isn’t there. The journey and destination may not have been what’s best, and there is spirituality in accepting one’s lot in life.

There are a few practical individuals who equate having a perfect life with guilt-free pleasures. These folks understand that perfection can be found in a hot, luxurious bath with time to lay in it, or not having to awaken at any set time in the morning. For them, reading in the best chair by the window, or lounging in front of the fireplace, or watching a favorite television show without interruptions is all they need to experience life’s bounty. Just like the pleasure of eating something that our mouth has been awaiting that no one else may find yummy, this kind of pleasure is different for everyone, but still within a person’s control. Therefore, this manner of attaining perfection is probably the easiest. One of the most difficult are those pleasures that rely on others.  Depending on other people to make life “perfect” is a risky proposition, since often Lady Luck is involved and she doesn’t make frequent appearances.

However, depending on your answers to this question, it may just be possible to attain an amount of perfection.  For example, if getting an education, a better physique, or improving living conditions would define a perfect life, perseverance may be influential in achievement. Self-discipline and motivation will be needed to follow the steps to reach any goal, but if others can do it, it can be done.

When we open our eyes to the pleasures in life, understand that fate may have other things in store for us, and be willing to strive for what’s attainable, we may be able to let go of our current definition of the perfect life. By finding a little joy in each day, we may realize a few moments of a perfect world.

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