See How Perfect the Present Really Is
See How Perfect the Present Really Is
This week's blog is an excerpt from Thomas J Leonard's book The 28 Laws of Attraction: Stop Chasing Success and Let it Chase You.
Step 21
See How Perfect The Present Really Is
Especially When It Is Clearly Not
The “what should be” never did exist, but people keep trying to live up to it. There is no “what should be,” there is only what is. - Lenny Bruce
This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is perhaps the most challenging of all the principles – until you understand it. Then it becomes completely obvious. It’s a challenge to actually live this belief, but the more you address the challenge, the more positive momentum your life will acquire.
This is the essence: When you recognize and accept things are the way they are, and that the present is all we truly have, then it’s not too much of a leap to believe that the present is perfect.
Maybe it’s not optimum, but it is perfect to learn from and perfect to grow from.
In other words, accepting and embracing the present – warts and all – doesn’t mean you give up hope for a finer future. It doesn’t mean your dreams are unattainable. It’s actually just the opposite: Being in sync (and in love) with your present is just about the best way to optimize your future.
It’s a bit of a conundrum, but stick with it and you can work through it.
Once you do, you may forget it again when you need it most. But it’ll come right back in seconds and pull you back on track just as fast.
Distinctions to Draw
Perfect vs. Preferred – Something that is perfect is pure, whole, right for you, sound. Something that is preferred is “better than” or favoured. Set your sights on perfection, and in the meantime enjoy having that which is preferred.
Request vs. Complaint – To request is to ask for something you need or for someone else to make a change. To complain is to blame, find fault, kvetch, and so on. Most people complain about other people or about life but don’t make a clear request.
How to know you’re making progress with this principle
You are less likely to lose your composure when you get bad news.
You become a very curious person and enjoy discovering the perfection in the present, even the bad news.
You relax and enjoy the present, even if it’s not what you wanted.
You set fewer goals and instead seek and find the opportunities in the present.
You make the most of reality because you’re not wishing it were different.
You save energy because you don’t battle the universe daily.
You notice and benefit from the gifts that lie buried under every apparent problem.
You are free to do more with what you already have.
TOP 10 WAYS TO KNOW THAT THE PRESENT IS PERFECT
The present is perfect because the universe is in balance.
The present is perfect because the present is all there is.
The present is perfect even though it may not be what you want.
The present is perfect because you CAN do something about it.
The present is perfect if you’re evolving with reality.
The present is perfect because there is a gift in everything.
The present is perfect because you can learn quickly from it.
The present is perfect because it’s leverageable.
The present is perfect because it’s the culmination and synthesis of the past.
The present is perfect because you say so.
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In this book, the author explains each point in more detail; however, if you ponder each of his statements, you'll start to see how true they are. You'll begin to see opportunities to stop unnecessarily fighting with reality.
How I see this topic is that because everything that is, is, it's perfect.
If I see everything and everyone around me as perfect in this moment in time, it actually brings me into the present moment. I'm no longer wishing anything to be different right now.
It also doesn't stop me from taking action to change a situation. I find the more I label or define something as "bad" or "it shouldn't be like that", then I spend all of my time arguing in my head or with like-minded friends about how "that" shouldn't be like "that". As soon as I realize that "that" is, then I can stop fighting it.
And miraculously, solutions or new ideas come to me about "that".
And often "that" stops looking like a problem.
A common habit of thought where people can get stuck with this is ideas around "what does it mean about me that I can be at peace with "that”? It actually means nothing about you or anybody.
It's so much easier to effect change in the world when I stop judging the world and when I'm in the ever-perfect present.
With Love,
Sara Joy
Upcoming Events
Save the Date! Immersion Retreat Day 2026 September 19, 2026
We are hosting Immersion Retreat Day again at Ignatius Jesuit Centre on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Mark your calendars to join us for an expansive day of peace and joy.
Listening to Ignite the Human Spirit - Starting on November 6, 2025
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For more information and to register: https://thelisteningworld.com/online-program/
2025 FEARLESS World Summit Online Holiday Celebration!
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