One of my favorite quotes from the Big Book of AA is “And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.”
When I was dealing with my addiction, I realized that the whole reason I was miserable inside was because I was trying to control and change the world around me, including the people around me. It was hard for me to learn and accept that I had no control over other people, places, things, or situations, I only had control of how I reacted to those things.
When we learned to give up the idea of control (which by the way is a fear response) and perfectionism we will find peace of mind, body, and soul. We learn that we have choices, we can either react to these things or learn to accept them as a life lesson. I have found that when there is a person that rubs me the wrong way or that I just struggle with it's usually because that person is mirroring to me the things, I struggle with about myself.
By accepting people for who they are and where they are at that moment, I find I can see past the behaviors I may be struggling with and truly see them for who they really are. And doing that allows my feelings to change and I no longer struggle with another person's attitude or behavior at that moment. Same with situations, I have come to accept that situations that challenge me are a blessing and lesson. For it is in those moments that I grow as a person.
Today, I am at peace with myself and my life. I do not get caught up in other people's drama, but rather see their drama as a learning experience for them and myself. I accept people for exactly who they are and where they are in their life journey.
Now acceptance does not mean that just because I accept a person for who they are that I have to invite them to be part of my life. It just means I know longer allow it to cause conflict within myself. Sometimes acceptance is about knowing when it's time to walk away from a person, place, or situation. Accepting the healthier choices for you.
Acceptance to me equals freedom. It brings inner peace and allows me to love rather than hate and judge or carry resentments. Do you have things in your life you are struggling to accept? Are their people in your life you struggle to accept? What is the lesson these things are teaching you?
Remember, “acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.”
Isn't it time you find some serenity in your life?
Namaste,
Pat Laurino
Intuitive Energy Healing and Psychic/Medium
