Acceptance

Resistance to what IS breeds dissatisfaction. Much of our pain comes from wanting things to be different than they are. Yet reality is as it is, and fighting against it is futile and only brings more struggle. Acceptance is crucial to stop suffering.

When we accept things as they are in this present moment, a deep feeling of peace can arise within us. Suddenly, there is no longer friction between our desires and reality. And in that stillness, we find freedom, and profound peace.

This applies to all areas of life. If we remember that we have no power to control or change others, we can accept others as they are rather than how we think they should be. In that moment, our judging minds fall silent.

When we accept our emotions and experiences without resistance, they lose their power over us. When we accept our humanity, we can accept our flaws and limitations and, instead of feeling defeated, we relax, and encourage ourselves to try again. That is when self-confidence begins to grow.

The path of acceptance does not mean we become passive or stop trying to improve. It means we embrace reality fully first, then act from that place of peace instead of desire, aversion or fear. We let go of the need for things to be different from what they are to be happy.

So the next time you are suffering, look for where you are resisting what is. Open your mind and heart to accept the present moment fully. Let go of the struggle. In that release, you’ll find relief from pain and a deep sense of peace with things exactly as they are. Acceptance is the key that unlocks the prison of unnecessary suffering.