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In search of purpose: In seventh heaven

<Photo: Seventh time at the summit of Mount Kinabalu on 26 Sept 2017> 

If you say that you are "in seventh heaven", it means that you are in a state of euphoria, complete happiness, and eternal bliss.  For example, "She was in seventh heaven when she received the acceptance letter to her dream university".  Although used in a secular manner, the phrase "in seventh heaven" has religious origins.

The search for purpose in life seems to be unequivocally linked to the achievement of perfection, to be in seventh heaven.  Anything short of that is not just seen as imperfect, but unacceptable.  

There is no such phrase as "in sixth heaven" to give recognition for being close to perfection, for being second, for being good enough - because good enough is not good enough.  There is one phrase though - "below first heaven" or in other words "being in a very hot place where the heater is permanently on" that's commonly used for those who stumble in life and don't make it to the finishing line.

Only perfection matters.  And thus many live their lives chasing after perfection.  Isn’t being at base camp good enough and do we always have to reach the summit? #alwaysbelieve

"Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it." Salvador Dali

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