Needs and desires

 Choose an ideal according to the capacity. Aiming for the sky is not a sure sign of success.

An ideal is a standard of perfection that we set in our minds which is somewhat difficult to attain. Our ideals are our better selves and we can move towards them if we choose our values wisely. Values are standards of conduct and motives for action. Each person chooses standards according to his needs and desires.

Some people aim quite low. The values they choose are hardly values at all. Real character is built upon a system of values which represent our aim at ideals that we think is best for us. Our choice of the values should be for a long term basis.  They should be chosen for their own sake; otherwise our actions will be shallow and insincere. 

As we grow older, we realize that we have to make choices in life. We cannot have everything; because life is short and we cannot reach out to too many things at one go. Therefore we have selected our values according to what we are capable of doing. We must be realistic as well as steadfast. We must stick to our ideals no matter what happens.

There are other people who never go beyond the stage of inspired wishful thinking. Such people aim at an impossible target. They gaze so intently upon this target that they see nothing except their inability to reach it. Hence they fear to act and develop a paralysis of the will. This results in having a weak character and losing the power to act at all.

The aim of keeping an ideal is to make ourselves greater than what we are. It inspires us. Only firm beliefs and ideals influence our spirit and to use us to action. Then we consider on ways to apply those values in our everyday lives. Our good desires come into conflict with those that are less worthy. A conflict starts within us.  

The secret lies in repetition and ruthless discipline. Therefore, if we know what we want in advance and we are aware of the cost, we will achieve the ideal if we pursue it with seriousness.

An ideal is a standard of perfection, which can and should be approached by choosing values wisely. In making this choice we have to make sacrifices because we cannot satisfy all our desires.

We must discipline ourselves for the sake of ultimate good. An ideal is a long –term objective. In the meanwhile, we have got immediate aims and purpose in our daily life.