Here is your Monday STORY on: LOVE: I write today’s Daily Wisdom knowing of its truth. We dream and read how love should be perfect. It is not too long before subconsciously that is how we expect it to be. So if it doesn't measure up we question its very existence. My life wouldn’t be too dissimilar to most. I have a family I love and seldom does anything question its intensity, or for the purpose of today’s subject, its perfection. I may know where to turn for some inspirational wisdom, but under pressure, these circumstances can alter. I use the word pressure, when it could be words such as stress or confusion. The route of my dilemma however was nothing so grand; it was toothache. This very pain had been frustrating my approach to everything. In other words I was on a short fuse. I would guess however my version of a short fuse will differ in time and intensity than most. My two children were to be annoying sooner than normal and this had caused me distress as I saw this play of frustration unfold. I also found that my normal politeness was lost and every comment was more forthright and demanding. Soon to be an explosion! All because of toothache… I am a man, and was sure the toothache would disappear. Rather than explain any more of my own personal story, I would hope you could see how a “Stitch in time could save nine.” Had I realised sooner I needed attention at a dentist then my fuse would have remained long. When you are in love every imperfection is accepted, to the point of being an attribute to the love. When you live on a short fuse those small imperfections are not accepted anymore. The very fact you are questioning these imperfections is for a reason that is self inflicted. I can confirm that during this play of pain and anguish that I was experiencing, the more I realised I was doing it, the more the fuse shortened. I was becoming more and more frustrated. I was questioning the very perfection of each member of the family unit. Imperfections are tolerated, accepted and adored in love. Perfection does not exist, only in love. Do not search for perfection, search for love. Whilst this next story, a Zen story, means little on its own, if it is taken in context with “Perfection comes after love, ” you’ll understand it better. PERFECTION DOESN’T EXIST “I’m getting married on the morrow, Mulla, ” pronounced his friend, smiling from ear to ear. Mulla Nusrudin was quiet and thoughtful. “Isn’t marriage wonderful, Mulla. It is quite the best! Have you ever considered getting married, Mulla?” Mulla Nasrudin sighed, “In my youth I thought of nothing else. In fact, I so wanted to find the perfect wife I travelled the world searching for her. In Damascus, I met a woman who was beautiful, spiritual and loving, but, alas, she had no worldly knowledge. In Isphahan, I met a woman who was beautiful, loving and worldly, but, alas, she was not interested in the spiritual life.” “Where did you travel to next, Mulla?” asked his friend. “I forgot where, but I met a woman who was truly spiritual, loving and worldly, but, alas, she was not beautiful. Finally, I went to Cairo and there, after much searching, I found the perfect wife. She was everything I wanted her to be. She was perfect, ” sighed Mulla Nasrudin. “If she was so perfect, why did you not marry her, Mulla?” asked the friend. “Alas, ” said Mulla Nasrudin, shaking his head, “she was, unfortunately, looking for the perfect husband!” (An old Sufi story) The clue here of course is that Mulla would need to be in love first! Before perfection would exist.The quote that follows also shows how, when in love, the world is better. QUOTE: “When you have loved as she has loved, you grow old beautifully." (W. Somerset Maugham).