Finding Acceptance

One of the main comments or questions that I get from people is, “How can I change this in my life, right now.” Think about it, is there something you’re actively trying to change in your life? Is there a part of your life that in this moment, you simply cannot accept? This non-acceptance comes in many forms, ranging from wanting to lose weight to changing jobs, or relationships to even struggling with the state of the world. When you start to get into a tizzy about wanting to change your life, I challenge you first, to strive to accept it as it is first. Before you get mad at me for saying this, or thinking that I mean that it’s ok to settle or stay in unhealthy or even dangerous situations, pause and think again. My hope for this week’s blog is simply to help you find peace in what is, right now. By finding peace in the present moment, you garner the strength, confidence, and awareness to make the changes that you do really need to make. Then you may see where your ego might be telling you things that just aren’t true. Finding acceptance can be incredibly challenging, but I can assure you it will bring you so much peace of mind, and true clarity in the long run. I have listed for you a few tools you can use to start to cultivate acceptance of what is, bringing this into your life, starting today.

Find time to connect with yourself every single day. It’s usually when I’m feeling disconnected from myself that I begin to not accept what is. I make it a priority to take time for daily meditation and contemplation; it immediately brings me into the present moment and helps me reset my thoughts. When you’re finding that there are things in life that you’re having a hard time accepting, dive deeper into your meditation practice, it will bring you the answers and clarity that you seek.
Quiet the obsessive thinking. Another symptom of the inability to accept what is, is non-stop, obsessive thoughts. Our minds LOVE to rattle off everything that needs to change, how we could be better, or what we could be doing differently, keeping us in crisis mode. Try to nip those unproductive thoughts in the bud. The first step to this is awareness; start to become aware of the pattern of your thoughts. When you start to notice you are going down a stressful path, choose again. Incorporate mantra or affirmation repetition. Change the path of your thinking to something more loving and more positive; thoughts that will actually help you take steps for making changes.
Rely on something bigger than yourself. When we do get caught up in the desires and wishes of things we want to change, we also get into the habit of relying on our own strength and power to get things done. My advice to you here is to surrender and trust. This is a major key to acceptance. Whenever something seems not right or even unbearable I notice it, feel whatever “it” is that’s causing me to feel this way, then I surrender the outcome to the Universe, God, the inner guide of your understanding, trusting completely that whatever is meant to happen, will happen, and that it will be of my highest and greatest good. There is a much bigger plan than we could imagine, so when we try to micromanage or control the plans, we end up overworking, overstressing, and stalling ourselves in chaos. Surrender and trust is a challenge for sure, but try it out. It can actually be exciting to know deeply that we don’t have to know how things will turn out. Have faith.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on acceptance, and how you’ve learned to be ok with what is! Just to reiterate my thoughts from above, this blog is not an encouragement of staying in dangerous or unhealthy situations, yet learning how to get an understanding of the day-to-day dissatisfactions that may be blocking you from finding the answer. If you find yourself in a situation that needs immediate attention, please take care of yourself and seek the help needed. I wish you all a beautiful day!