The challenge to be perfect is a dream and a desire. But it cannot be attained in this world. Perfection has to be a journey not a destination. We look forward to perfection but must realize that it is a direction and not a destination we attain in this world. If we do not attain it we would be most unhappy. It can be attained only in the next. We seek perfect happiness yet we can attain only 30 percent or 40 percent in this life. We should be reasonably happy if we attain that. But 99 percent happiness in the next life is the definition of hell. We have to have 100 percent happiness. The greatest punishment of hell is remorse not suffering or fire. The sense of loss that comes from realizing we could have had 100 percent happiness yet attained only 99 percent because of our own fault is the essence of hell. Whatever man can think or imagine man wants. We can think of the limitless, the infinite, and the perfect. Therefore, we want the perfect. Man's heart will never be satisfied until he attains whatever he can imagine. So man will be restless until he rests in God. For only in union with the Creator can he attain perfection or perfect happiness.

In this life we are on a journey toward that destiny. Although we do not reach that destination, we can come close. We have the Japanese "Kaizen" or constant improvement. That is also why we have confession. We run on the course towards that perfect destination and we sometimes stumble. That is not a problem. If we stumble the important thing is to get up and move forward again. Defeat is if we refuse to get up and wallow in the mud. Getting up and running forward again is our destiny. The advertisement says: "we sell quality." Quality means the best we can make or give. In the end our effort has to be fueled and egged on by desire or love. There must be truth or reality, then effort to reach that perfect best. There must be love to fuel the effort to give to others and to self; and to move on. Perfection means trying our best consistently while knowing it is endless in this world.

Some forget the need to take care of self. Of what use is to gain the while world if you lose yourself? The human being needs rest and recreation. Man can be pushed only so far. Some forget they are not God.

They want to fix or do everything. We need to accept limitations. We must do God's work allotted to us but we cannot do God's job. Happiness and laughter, peace and contentment at least some measure of it can be achieved in this world but not perfection. Perfection comes only at the end of life when we meet the Creator who welcomes us into His embrace with His perfect happiness. He alone is limitless and all perfect. He alone is complete happiness and contentment and peace. On this earth we attempt to achieve as much joy as possible but realize we are on a journey that never ends till that final union with the Creator. We have a responsibility to achieve as much happiness and joy for ourselves and for our neighbor. We reach out to that perfect happiness but also reach out to as much happiness possible in this world. The challenge to perfection is still there. Be happy as much as possible. (emeterio_barcelon@yahoo.com)