Acceptance


The world is a palette of varied beauty with subtle and not-so-subtle differences in brilliance and hue. But, like all we perceive subjectively, many things can fail to meet our expectations. People don't behave as we'd wish them to, situations turn out differently than we'd imagined, and the end result is often unhappiness. The remedy is acceptance - an open-minded, understanding perception that brings the serenity of knowing every individual, situation, or difficulty is unique and valuable in some way. It is a mode of respect for differences, of seeing beyond faults or disappointments and reaching contentment.

Though acceptance necessitates recognizing and acknowledging situations or attitudes that exist in the present, it does not imply that you need also give your approval. To approve or to disapprove is to judge, but in accepting, you simply understand that all situations and all people are in a constant state of flux. Likewise, each of us is also in the process of changing and by choosing to accept ourselves (in the past, present, and future); we can truly begin to understand who we really are. Acceptance is freedom from the need to retain preconceived notions, control of others, favored outcomes, or the anxiety that can come when the unexpected occurs. It is more than tolerance, though resisting the urge to react to the choices of others is a large part of the process. Rather it is a patience and gentleness that extends outward, beginning in one's own soul and extending to other people and the world at large.

Sometimes the process works in reverse because accepting others can be easier than accepting oneself, though the latter is the inevitable result of true acceptance. In fostering acceptance, the need to judge is quelled because the belief that others ought to live up to your expectations (or 'should thinking') is eliminated because everything is evolving and deserves to do so without interference. And in letting growth happen and understanding that each person, place, thing, or situation is as it is meant to be, a blissful quiet of the mind and strong feelings of worth can be realized.

Acceptance is freedom from the need to retain preconceived notions, control of others, favored outcomes, or the anxiety that can come when the unexpected occurs

Much truth in that...

Only thing I have a slight "pet peeve" about, is the concept of "everything is how it's meant to be"...I find myself questioning that perception a lot lately.

Byron said:

i would word it different

all is as it needs to be

cuz wether we like it or not we need things to stir our dislike



dont we ?

Mach said:

Well, I guess I see it as everything is as it should be or needs to be at a specific moment...everything that occurs after that specific moment is created by our decisions, and thus, there doesn't have to be any one specific outcome...and it doesn't need to be any specific way, either, if we're aware enough of ourselves, our feelings, our true motivations ahead of time and during the specific moment. Things will simply "be", and our understanding and reaction to them will dictate a lot...

Byron said:

i agree

all is as it needs to be in this moment

and yes ... there is time to simply "be"

abjure said:

I think I wrote that!

Yeah i love this!! When u learn 2 accept otherz and yourself- u learn new wisdomz in life situationz. U learn new wayz of handling life. It can be just like playin a game of chess. Learning about your "opponent" (4 need of a better term...opponent givez da impression of isolation as a participant in life so 2 speakz) and their way of thinking, being aware of yourz (way of thinking) and finding comfort and confidence in handling even da most challenging and difficult situationz u may come across in life. Acceptance is a marvelous, marvelous thingz.