What to do when things are not according to your ideals

Some time ago I wrote about a certain idealism which goes way too far and makes you very unhappy in your daily life. I believe having certain ideals and a clear concept of what is good and what is not is generally beneficial for everyone and a good thing. We need to accept however that the world is not ideal – and that we can do only our own best to make a change.

And there are a lot of possibilities do to that! Just take your job: you may not be able to change everything surrounding it but you can, for example, try to find a job that supports your ideals or at least does not go against them! As a vegetarian, you won’t work at a butcher. Not even in the office – because it is against your ideals. It might be difficult however to find a job that supports each and every of your ideals!

Let me give you an example. So you work in a company which in basic supports your ideals and it is the perfect place for you to work at. Let's say a shop that sells organic food and fair trade items. It is fully according to your ideals – except for one section of the shop: there is a corner with esoteric items as well. Tarot cards, crystal balls and all supplies for modern witches, psychics and healers. You don’t agree with this, believe it creates and supports superstition – but you have to sell that, too!

It is not ideal – but you cannot create a perfect world! On this world everything exists and if you are too idealistic, you will have problems with a great deal of what happens on earth! So instead of getting stuck with the things which are not perfect, find a way to get as close to your ideals as possible – and accept the rest!

You can go further than you think in many ways. Try to do it. You may get to know, for example, that your bank uses the money you have saved there on supporting weapons which are used in wars you don't support. Or other projects that are strongly against your ideals. If that disturbs you, do some research and find a banks that supports the environment or sustainable projects instead – they do exist!

There may even be some of those red flags for you which you cannot change at the moment. In that case, just accept that it is like this for now. That not everything is ideal in this world. That we can work in future against certain things, change mindsets over time for example. Don’t get all upset about such a thing. Don’t get cold – that’s not what I am suggesting. You can feel strongly that it is wrong and you can try to make a change whenever possible. But don’t waste energy on raging or crying about things that you cannot influence at the moment!

There is always a possibility to make it better, even if it exists on the long run or by creating a better example yourself. You have your honesty and you can look after it. You don't have to be dishonest. If it forces you to – change. But otherwise see the beauty, the good and be happy.