Happy Sunday Everyone! This week I want to talk about the importance of acceptance. In the AA Big Book there is a story and a quote from that story that has always stuck with me 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." [1]

 

So, what does that mean exactly? For me it meant that I need to stop banging my head against the wall trying to change the things I cannot change (part of the serenity prayer.) What are some areas in your life that you keep fighting or struggle with? Are these things you can change or are they things you have no control over?

 

I have to learn to change ME and how I respond to those things I cannot change like other people, some situations such as my health. I have had a choice to make, I could accept my current disability or I could refuse to accept it and become bitter, angry, and resentful.

 

By accepting the facts of my condition I have been able to receive peace around it. I stopped seeing my limitations and the equipment (like a wheelchair) I need to make my life a little easier as defeat or a burden. I had to change my perspective around these tools and my condition.

 

I was falling into a deep depression and resentment over the fact that I can't stand or walk for any length of time due to pain. I started falling into the poor me pit and I did not want that. I also started questioning how do I have the right to work with others in improving their lives when I can't do that for myself?

 

I finally stopped fighting my diagnosis and have accepted it and here is what happened when I did. Once I accepted my condition and that my life is basically about keeping my pain manageable rather than being cured my anger went away. I started seeing possibilities and what the lessons were that I needed to learn and boy am I learning them!

 

By accepting my condition I am able to accept the tools I need for daily living such as a wheelchair and help doing some basic daily tasks like cooking and cleaning. I also see the possibilities in helping others with chronic pain or other struggles in life.

 

My father who had MS once told me when I asked him if he ever hated God for giving him MS that he did not look at it that God gave him MS, he saw it that God gave him an opportunity to help others with MS and that is what he did up until the day he died.

 

My dad accepted his fate and saw the good that could and did come out of it. My dad helped so many other veterans with their disabilities and he also helped them get the benefits their deserved.

 

Everything in life can be an opportunity if you choose it to be or it can be a burden it's totally up to you! Today I choose to accept life on life's terms for when I do life just flows better.

 

What are things in your life you are unable to accept? How is that impacting your life and health? 

 

Remember, acceptance does not equal defeat, it equals peace.

 

 

 

If you have additional questions about Spiritual Counseling/Guidance and if it is for you, please feel free to contact me via e-mail at spiritualpathwaysnh@gmail.com.

 

Namaste,

 

Pat Laurino

Intuitive Energy Healer/Spiritual Psychic/Medium

 

The above list is only a portion of the providers we are blessed to have. So, if you feel frustrated with traditional medicine maybe try one of the above practitioners, who knows it may just change your life and aren't you worth that?