What I want is to be dazzlingly perfect the first time I try something, check that off my list, and move on.

Recently I've been playing games on an app designed to keep the brain agile. One particular game irritates me because I cannot get a perfect score. Each time I get slightly better, the game gets harder.

This morning I looked back at my scores and realized that, all along, I've gotten incrementally better. I also realized I'll never conquer it.

Then I remembered that all that is truly important to me has been gained through steady, daily effort that results in tiny, incremental shifts, not conquest:

A peaceful, joyful spiritual life through daily practice
A happy marriage through a daily decision to be loving and forgiving
Good family relations through constantly letting go
Friendships through showing up and being real
Pain-free knees and shoulders, thanks to physical therapy and daily exercise
Improved health through being honest about what I eat and my activity

Remember the fable of the tortoise and the hare? Steady wins the race.

In Goethe's words, "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and magic in it. Begin it now."

You write it: What are you ready to begin and stick with?

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Incrementally Better