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Acceptance
I want to talk about acceptance for this month’s article. I have a document I keep called The Do-Good File. It evolved from the idea that I’d think of something optimistic or motivating the second my feet hit the floor when I got up in the morning. Except for me, it was difficult. I would either forget, this being a new habit for me, or I just couldn’t think of anything that might fill me with joy.
So, the idea evolved into something, as a writer, that I
could sink my teeth into. Early on in the morning, I would sit at my
computer and open my Do-Good File. It began with the title "Do-Better,"
but I changed it early on to "Do-Good." The rule I created for the
project is that I write something quickly. I don’t spend a lot of time
thinking about it, but the thought is uplifting in some way. The entry
is also short. It could be 100 to 300 words, or thereabouts. It’s my
file. It’s my rules, and it starts my day off pretty good.
There were times early on when I wouldn’t do it every day.
Hey, time gets away from us, right? But lately, I’ve been able to write
something every day. Habits take a while to get rolling. I remember
somebody saying if you can do something for three weeks, you’ll have
started a new habit. It took me longer than that, but I suppose it had
to happen in stages.
The entries, rather than having a title, began to have one
word. I wrote about hope for over a month and will revisit the idea if I
can’t think of something to write that day. Some of the words I’ve
played with over time are: Pushing Through, Pretend, Rising, Changes,
and Gratitude. The word that occurred to me this morning was Acceptance.
It occurred to me that acceptance is an easier way to live
your life than to be in a constant state of non-acceptance. I suppose
you might think of it in terms of apples. Sure, you have your favorite
apple, but you’ve also learned over the years that you appreciate other
sorts of apples. This makes it easier when you go to the store and they
are out of your favorite apple, you can choose another type or even a
different fruit and be happy about it.
Happiness in little bits.
We are raised by our parents and caregivers to see life
through their eyes. If they don’t happen to like yellow or green apples,
the likelihood that we might not like them either is pretty good. The
idea is that as you grow up, you’re going to be in a position to
eventually try out apples that are new to you. You might learn to like
them, too.
It’s really important that you learn how to accept yourself.
Age is important. As a child, you were full of energy; as a teenager,
and as a young adult, your energy levels changed. You developed a focus
in your job and in the things that interested you. As an older adult,
you marveled at naps and how you were much happier with a little nap in
the afternoon. (That’s me.)
Life was so much easier when you began to accept who you are
in the moment. Instead of worrying about being adult-like while you were
still a kid, you just enjoyed being a child. It’s going to change soon
enough anyway. Worrying about getting old takes energy. Enjoy your
wrinkles and your skin spots. Don’t wish them away. They are who you
are.
I was never so happy as when I learned to be a psychic
channel. The confusing moments of my life began to make sense to me. I
realized that paradise was right where I was and not something to look
forward to. I realized that God listens, and prayer took on a whole new
meaning for me. I learned that my Spirit Guide was funny and that many
others in Spirit were the same way. That was definitely not what I
expected.
One of the things Spirit has taught me is that failure does
not exist. The steps toward success are merely that - one step after
another. If you don’t make it, you try again. This is acceptance of the
process. So, the focus of your energy goes to still working on your
project instead of worrying about the failure. It’s just another step.
Also, instead of crying out, “When am I ever going to be able
to make a good loaf of bread?” Becomes something along the lines of,
“Next time, I’m going to try to use up the old, shredded wheat cereal
and see what happens.” I’ve been baking bread since I was a teenager,
some 55 years ago, or so. The bread I make is still not absolutely
perfect, but those loaves sure get good reviews from my husband. And
that is a form of acceptance. I’m not disappointed with them.
It takes time to develop a new habit. Things evolve over
time, and anything new you try will likely take some time. Do things in
tiny steps. Take the time to review how you are feeling to actually see
if there has been any progress.
I always tell people to write things down, the things that
are in their hearts. To really effect change, write these things by
hand. It’s difficult if your hands cramp easily now, but if you couple a
short bit of writing in a special notebook with a pleasant area, the
sunshine outside, a cup of tea or coffee, even a bit of music, it might
help you to feel better.
Acceptance of who you are is the first step to being able to accept
other people in your life.
Thanks for reading. See you next time!
Pauline Evanosky
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