Acceptance
Acceptance is the key to moving forward positively
The virtue of acceptance has many facets - acceptance of people, acceptance of circumstances and self acceptance.
We all live in a world full of diversities. Diversity is everywhere. Be it individuals, cultures, religions, food habits, thoughts, technologies, geographical landscapes, flora, fauna etc. Even if we just focus on human beings, are we able to always accept and appreciate our diversities?
The American entrepreneur Malcome Forbes once quoted 'diversity is the art of thinking independently together'.
Have you ever had trouble accepting someone else? Have you ever been in a situation where the actions & words of another person were confusing, hurtful and frustrating? Have you ever judged someone & been judged by someone wrongly? Have you ever felt disappointed by another person who was acting in a way that was different from what you expected or didn’t react to a situation as you expected?
By developing the virtue of acceptance we will be able to accept & enjoy the diversity of this world in harmony. Also, positively influence people around you. We are not all born with the same advantages and disadvantages. Every individual you meet has different lots in life, so the way people react and act in different situations also differs. Acceptance is the ability to recognize every individual is unique and have the right to their own feelings & opinions.
The quality of acceptance can always act as a reminder that we might not completely understand what it's like to be in someone’s shoes before writing our own versions to their stories based on our superficial information. The virtue of acceptance allows you to evolve spiritually, mentally and emotionally. It helps us to make an effort to get to know their stories before passing that rude comment on others. This can give us new insights and make our life more fulfilling. Acceptance is the first step towards love and respect, be it for self or for others.
Acceptance doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t influence others in skillful and ethical ways. Just because we accept others does not mean that we agree with them for everything & cede your own rights.With acceptance comes self confidence and healthy boundaries. You will cultivate the ability to accept people for who they are rather than who you want them to be.
Self - Acceptance
Together with accepting others, it is also important to embrace your own positive and negative facets. A common misconception about accepting our weaknesses means that we don’t do anything about our weaknesses which we feel like improving. It doesn't mean inaction at all. If we want to learn a new skill, get fit or give off any bad habits that are acting as obstacles for your personal growth, we should take action and continue to learn & grow. Self acceptance is about knowing the difference between things you can change and you can't change. Also, know the things you don't want to change for the sake of just pleasing others. Have you ever felt ‘out of place’ somewhere? Have you ever had a tough time ‘fitting in’ or ‘trying to belong’ somewhere at some point of time? You are not an exclusion. Most people would have had that feeling at some point in life. But, have you felt like you have jumped all the hoops and are torn between different masks, but you are still not made to feel good enough? You feel like you are sick of trying to fit in & want to get accepted the way you truly are. It can be at your school, office, or even in your family? It's a wake up call to own your uniqueness. The right people will accept & stay for you.
Thanks to the professor Brene Brown, who has given the perfect explanation on the importance of self-acceptance for attaining a true sense of belonging. “Belonging starts with self-acceptance. Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you’re enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect”. So start getting comfortable in your own skin & belong where you feel you are enough
Accepting What You Can't Change
Another important aspect of acceptance is ‘acceptance of circumstances’ or things you cannot change in life. One such thing is your past. We should learn to let go of our past baggages, learn from your mistakes & look at it as opportunities to make your future brighter. At some time or the other life can present us with some unexpected situations or events. Have you made a bad decision while you were emotional about a situation? The virtue of acceptance helps us to cope with crises with more emotional maturity & build on it.
I would like to conclude with the popular quote of St. Francis of Assisi is a powerful one that covers all facets of the virtue of acceptance.
” Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference”.
Let us read some short stories to help our kids understand the importance of the virtue of acceptance & open the world of harmony happiness to them