Acceptance
Like all positive mental and emotional states, acceptance must be practiced regularly. I have yet to meet a human being that lives in a blissful peaceful state of acceptance at all times.
A situation happens. Maybe it is health issue, maybe it is financial, relationship or maybe it is a death. No matter what it is, it takes a while to get to acceptance.
Acceptance is different than tolerance. We often think of tolerating as “putting up with” something we don’t want to or don’t approve of. Like how some religious people tolerate other religions but think they are wrong, and their way is the only “right” way, lacking the peaceful or loving acceptance of others that their own religion calls for. Or we tolerate our Crazy Uncle and his rude comments at holiday meals when we wish he just wouldn’t come to them, but it is important to our parents he is welcomed and accepted. We tolerate a leaky roof because we don’t have the money to fix it yet. We tolerate a health issue because we don’t have a choice.
But we do have a choice to some degree. If we see all life circumstances as our spiritual lessons, then we can add gratitude to them. Once that element is there then we have a stream even if a small one of acceptance flowing in. It is a practice. It is sitting in meditation or deep contemplation and finding what this situation has taught us and given us. That can be difficult when it is something dire, but it can be done. The body holds on to memories, so it remembers the past all too well which disturbs our nervous system and state of being, so we have to practice acceptance daily and whenever our upset is triggered.
Meditation is like taking a shower. You have to do it daily. You brush your teeth daily , so why wouldn’t you cleanse your mind daily? Take out the mental emotional garbage and fill it with peace. Even if you don’t find peace right way. Keep looking for a particular mediation that has worked for you or can hold your attentions. I would rather someone meditate 3 minutes daily then an hour once a week. Because we are what we repeatedly do. So even if your meditation is unfocused or feels negative remember you’re sitting with yourself and working with where you are. Don’t give up and run from it. When I am distracted I say internally, “wow I am really distracted” and I let it go. If I am angry or hurt I say the same thing and then I let it float downstream. That is where having a mantra or a mental focus or breathing technique can help bring the mind to a focus.
If acceptance is difficult for you start with something you already accept easily and then move on to something that isn’t too difficult. I accept I have gained weight, because I have compassion for the part of me that was struggling. I accept I had difficult financial loses over the pandemic because I have faith in myself and the infinite to find balance is more important than money. I accept I have grief I have for the death of my brother and mother because I feel they are at peace. Sometimes I am peaceful about it, sometimes sad and sometimes angry. I accept that. Like I accept I have to pay taxes. I would rather see a flat tax across the board. I think we should get more for our taxed money like better education and free education preschool through college or trade schools ( if upper education is desired) and I like knowing we have fire fighters and roads being repaired even if our infrastructure has not been properly kept up. You see those are things that I haven’t quiet let go of, that still stir me, but I am able to add in acceptance to the pot.
A drop of acceptance can color the waters into a different more peaceful tone. WE have to practice acceptance, peace and stillness in order to find it. We don’t create it, we uncover it, because it resides within us and is waiting to be brought forth and cultivated.
It is easier to cultivate acceptance if you practice gratitude daily, so that space already exists in our hearts and minds for peace.
Namaste Everyone - the light in me acknowledges the light in you.
