For me, I know that people always expect me to be perfect, so

Hearken, O children of the ages, to the words of Sunisa Lee, who speaks with the voice of vulnerability and courage: “For me, I know that people always expect me to be perfect, so when I’m not perfect, it’s really frustrating. I’m really hard on myself and want things to work out right away.” Here lies the timeless teaching that the weight of expectation bears heavily upon the soul, and that the pursuit of perfection can both inspire and torment the heart.

In the chronicles of old, the elders observed that those gifted with talent, skill, or visibility often bear a burden invisible to others. The expectations of the world can bind the spirit, compelling one to seek flawless execution while ignoring the sacred lessons of growth and patience. Lee reminds us that to confront these pressures is to engage in a heroic struggle, one not of the body alone, but of the heart and mind, learning to temper ambition with self-compassion.

The origin of this wisdom is ancient, found in the lives of warriors, artisans, and sages who were revered for their mastery yet faced inner trials of doubt and self-judgment. Across kingdoms, monasteries, and academies, it was known that the path to excellence is never without frustration, for the spirit strives for perfection even when the body or circumstance falters. To be hard on myself is a reflection of striving, yet true wisdom lies in balancing effort with acceptance.

O seekers, understand that the desire for all to work out immediately is a reflection of the impatient heart. Life’s lessons unfold gradually, and even the most gifted must endure failure, disappointment, and delay. The path of mastery is not only in skill, but in patience, reflection, and the courage to persist despite frustration. By confronting these inner struggles, the soul is tempered, resilience is forged, and the journey toward excellence becomes sacred.

Let this teaching endure, children of the future: honor your gifts, but do not bind your spirit to the tyranny of external expectations. To seek perfection is noble, yet to forgive myself, to endure frustration, and to allow life to work out in its own time is wisdom. The balance of striving and acceptance transforms challenge into strength and ambition into enduring growth.

In this eternal truth, the mortal learns that greatness is measured not solely by flawless achievement, but by courage, patience, and self-compassion. To navigate the pressures of expectation, to wrestle with frustration, and to hold the desire for perfection with humility, is to cultivate a heart both resilient and enlightened, capable of enduring the trials of life while rising toward mastery and fulfillment.

If you wish, I can also craft a more poetic, ceremonial version, where the struggle with perfection and frustration is depicted as a sacred rite of the soul’s growth. Would you like me to do that?