Acceptance – Some Thoughts to the Topic

In preparing to write an article to the topic of Acceptance, we have been thinking and talking together about the components of this very critical aspect of conflict free relationships. I keep thinking that one of the places that people get caught up, is in the area of understanding that there really are two separate persons involved in a relationship. I know this sounds obvious, but in practice, the mind does not always acknowledge this fact. As we grow more intimate with someone, there is a sliding of the line between ‘us’and ‘them’. We feel the mutual self and sometimes we forget there really are two selves, as well as the new self – the couple in union. This is most often seen in simple areas. The couple is out with friends. One of them speaks and says things differently than the other would. The one listening feels bad, angry or badly represented, because they feel that what their partner says counts as them speaking.

These types of feelings can quickly lead one down a path of criticism, and the desire to alter how or what the other person does, to adjust it to be more correctly representative of one’s self.

Acceptance is basically the exact opposite. You are in full knowledge of the other person as just that. You are fascinated by the very fact that this is another person, with totally different ways and thoughts, while at the same time being in consonance with you on your core issues. You are not threatened by their being, their different way. You celebrate it!

How can we avoid this pitfall that is so common to all of us, as we build our relationships.

What do you think?