Long-time students may notice that this sounds familiar. It's an article that I wrote several years ago and read to my classes, but it still rings true:
All suffering is caused by the difference between what is actually happening and the way you want it to happen. This can involve:
-other people’s behavior
-situations: jobs, finances, family dynamics/relationships, health, aging
Learning acceptance is a wonderful healing gift that you can give to yourself. Everything you experience is part of your journey through life. It’s an opportunity or a learning experience -- maybe a wake-up call. Whatever it is, embrace it because it can put you further ahead on the path. Surely you have all experienced something that you initially thought was bad only to discover later that it turned out for the best or lead to personal growth.
Acceptance isn’t giving in or being passive. I once heard acceptance compared to aikido. Aikido works with the energies of push and pull. When someone pulls you towards them, instead of resisting and trying to pull away, you move toward them, using their momentum so they have no power over you. Likewise, acceptance means going with the flow, rolling with the changes, and using the energy in a situation for healing.
I am not talking about being a doormat and letting people walk all over you. Sometimes accepting means knowing when to let go, when to move on, or when to say “No.” If taking on more responsibilities at work or on committees will create a disturbance or bring your life out of balance, accept the fact and say “No.”
When you accept a situation as it really is, you’ll be in control, you won’t be so fearful, the situation won’t have so much power over you, and you’ll know what to do.
Accept what is happening in your life. Even the unpleasant parts. This is truly the way to peace.
Stop fighting.
Stop struggling.
Stop wallowing.
Stop yearning.
Stop pushing away the truth, and put that energy to better use.
Lovingly accept yourself and the circumstances of your life, and then extend that loving acceptance to the other people in your life.
Begin to see life as an exciting adventure. Be curious. What will happen next? Where will this lead? What will I learn?
Remember that this is your life right now. It’s not something that will happen later—this is it!
Namaste!
Sandy Pradas