Acceptance

“There is so much grace in acceptance. It is not an easy concept, but if you embrace it, you will find more peace than you ever imagined.” ~ Loretta LaRoche …

We have so many abundant graces available to us each day of our lives. However, as we rush around and occupy ourselves with busywork, most are difficult for us to see and to notice. Acceptance is one such grace. It empowers us to take control of our lives and our situations, it protects us from fear and littleness, and it prepares us for the necessary growth to find fulfillment in our lives and become the person we were meant to be.

Still, society generally teaches us to fight acceptance. We need not look far to see some of the many role models who waste their time, energy, and power trying to change the things they do not like into something they feel they should be, regardless of whether or not it is something they can change, or even should change for that matter. At times, fighting for our beliefs and ideals is a good thing–when we know something is wrong or goes against our morals. But most of the time we do it out of stubbornness or pride, and in such instances, it really only serves to complicate and add stress to our lives.

Life is real–it is a tangible thing that is here and we are experiencing it right now. And by accepting life in its entirety, we create a balance that allows us to find and to keep peace within our hearts. Accepting all of life is about living life to the fullest–the good, the bad–all of it.

Accept the things you cannot change in your life.

Questions to consider:

How does our acceptance in life relate to our happiness in life? In what ways do our expectations affect our happiness?

What kinds of things do you avoid, deny, or try to change?

How many things that have seemed to be bad in your life have turned out to be beautiful?

For further thought:

“Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate, or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.” ~ Henry Miller