Do you find that setting standards too high by trying to do things too perfectly is a source of stress for you? While doing your best is certainly a virtue, perfectionism -- that is, settling for nothing less than perfect -- has a major down side.

We forget. We forget that there is something greater that dwells amidst the accolades, the trips and the fancy meals -- the every day of life. This understanding has become lost as social networking sites become our primary source of communication. We deliberately try to set ourselves apart, to be seen, to be happier than the update before us.

When we try to be perfect, we become disconnected to people, and most importantly ourselves. I would love to see more celebrities and people, get more real. Be who you are. Live simply. Stop the obsessive planning and precautions.

Just thinking about "finding your purpose" exercises can make folks sweat and pace -- especially this time of year. Like it or not, we're at a precipice. We're being called to leap into new beginnings and all that jazz.

I believe that perfection is actually an illusion that we created and is based on the fear that we would no longer evolve as humans if something wasn't pushing us to be better. But what if evolution were to come from our desire to learn and grow instead of to get ahead?

The main challenge with perfection is that perfection almost always lies just out of reach, sort of the impossible dream that can't be had. Indeed, perfection cannot be had, at least now how you might typically think about it; however, it can be experienced.

For many years, I have longed for the perfect day -- the one when everything goes right. I have had perhaps 10 of these. Always, my perfect day begins with a restful sleep, from which I emerge to see the sun rising ever so slowly in its colorful canvas outside my bedroom window.

Most people think acceptance has something to do with liking your circumstances. In truth, acceptance merely means recognizing the obvious, cooperating with the reality of it, and finding ways to move forward in spite of the situation.

Let's challenge ourselves to kick our practice to higher level by practicing generosity in our lives. How often and how far can we go out of our way each day? How does practicing generosity affect our own sense of well-being?

Growing up, I wanted to be the greatest at whatever I did, the guy who'd rise above the troubles of my family. I wanted to become the Muhammad Ali, even the Whitney Houston, in my corner of the world.

As Eckhart Tolle recommends in "Power Of Now," scan your physical-emotional being and ask, am I happy? I hope the answer is yes. If not, find the workout that gives you that answer.

For years you have defined perfection as a theoretical best. It is time to realize that perfection is not only attainable but that it is inevitable.