A Lesson in Acceptance
Living in acceptance is much easier said than done, but it is the key to living a life free of previously damaging thoughts, beliefs and expectations. To develop an understanding of acceptance, it is important to learn the various levels to which it can be incorporated into ones life.
The first level of acceptance is accepting yourself. It sounds easier and is often the hardest of all levels. Accepting oneself means being able to look mistakes, flaws and weaknesses without judgement. Seeing them, exploring them and understanding why they exist can help one to accept themselves by recognizing their mistakes and being thankful for each experience.
The second level of acceptance is accepting others. It is important to recognize that no two individuals are the same. Everyone has unique perspectives and beliefs and its important to understand and respect that. Whether or not you agree, its important to accept their thoughts and understand that their values, opinions and beliefs are their own.
The third level of acceptance is accepting the outside world. This can be especially difficult when faced with difficult or traumatic situations, but it is important to remember that life is often unpredictable and unexpected things can happen. The more one is able to accept the events that occur, the more easily one can move on.
The fourth level of acceptance is accepting ones emotions. It is human nature to have feelings of anger, sadness, fear and pain, and it is important to feel them. Allowing yourself to feel those emotions can help to be thankful for the teaching moments associated with them and build a more fulfilling lifestyle.
Although acceptance does not come easily, once an understanding of the various levels is developed, it can be used as a tool to live a more fulfilling and rich life. Being able to accept oneself, others, the outside world and emotions is the foundation to living a life in complete acceptance.
