Acceptance

Good Morning and Happy Monday! 

What an interesting week! I’m not even sure where to begin, so let me say welcome to the place you’re at today. Hopefully, it’s better than where you were last week.

I’ve had some interesting conversations this week. Some of the most thought-provoking revolved around ideas about expectations from yesterday, not translating into today. Let me explain that a bit. Often, we are so fixated on what we thought life would be like and disappointed that certain elements didn’t come to fruition that we completely miss the beauty of what’s happening in the here and now.

When I was young, I was sure I would be running a successful company producing outstanding literature, raising exceptional children with a loving husband and father – or dancing with the Bolshoi Ballet. In reality, I did run a couple of great companies that had nothing to do with literature. I raised two more than exceptional daughters as a single mom. And I dance to the beat of my own drummer (too bad for the Bolshoi! their loss! I’m a legend in my own mind!) lol!

Somewhere along the way, after lamenting over my many misfortunes, I realized that I genuinely have a pretty great life. It’s nothing like I thought it would be, but I learned to find joy in the reality of my situation. Of course, there was a learning curve, but I emerged healthier, wiser, and happier than I thought possible. That’s one of the reasons why I appreciate the following quote:

Carl Jung had the following observation:

“We cannot change anything unless we accept it.”

I believe most of us will agree that acceptance is pivotal to making desired changes in our lives, but I think it’s also a critical piece in moving from past ruminating to future thinking.

I found these two quotes that also echo similar sentiments:

“My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my experience.”  – Michael J. Fox, Actor and Activist

“What if each time you experienced emotion, you acknowledged it, accepted it, and became curious about its message for you? Imagine how this could change your life. Image how heard, loved, and honored you would feel if you really listened to yourself.”  – Vironika Tugaleva, Author and Poet

Such powerful words remind us of our ability to capture harmful or disruptive thought patterns and change them to reflect hope. Letting go of our expectations and preconceptions can be challenging. Embracing the reality of our story is life-giving. It’s pure freedom.

Scripture is replete with reminders about our thought lives.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)

“…for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses. We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NAB)

Abandoning the urge to contemplate past expectations or disappointments produces the freedom to be fully present to experience what’s currently happening, setting the tone for future victories.

Be curious this week and paint new pictures for your life that reflect what you’re living through in the present moment. Accept that the old story is a thing of the past and write a new narrative for your life. I believe you’ll be surprised at how you’ll be able to understand yourself and your future in new and unexpected ways.

Have a fantastic week being curious, accepting, and writing a new story!

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda