A thought repeated...

I recently read an article that juxtaposed the ACTUAL with the IDEAL.
Reality is our actual; perfection is our ideal.

This article submitted the following:

To be MATURE is to live with the actual while keeping the ideal in our sights.
To be a FAILURE is to accept the actual and reject the ideal.
To be IMMATURE is to accept the ideal and reject the actual.

Failures refuse to consider the ideal or its possibility. 
They are immersed in their reality and do not (or cannot) put energy or effort into movement toward anything better. 

The immature, on the other hand, refuse to deal with the actual.
They are immersed in the idea of perfection and do not (or cannot) contend with their own reality -- the facts of the matter.
The mature -- the wise, if you will -- know the balance of making the most of one's reality while putting time, effort and faith in approaching the ideal.

I found the idea thought-provoking ... and worth repeating.