There has been a lot of talk in recent years about “acceptance” and how important it is for living a balanced and happy life. And I agree. Acceptance is one of the cornerstones of living well.
Where I have a teensy-weensy problem, however, is the connotation that has developed around the idea of acceptance.
To address this, let’s first look at what acceptance is not.
Acceptance is not:
- Settling
- Surrender
- Giving up
- A consolation prize
- Relinquishing responsibility
Nor is it blind faith and/or an abandonment of free will. Rather, acceptance is a calm embrace of what is. It’s a knowing.
Acceptance is peace through wisdom.
Acceptance doesn’t require abandonment of understanding and/or exploration. Rather, it requires questioning. Questioning that moves us through to acceptance from a place of strength, courage, and presence.
Acceptance asks us to question everything so that we arrive at the knowing underneath, the knowing that was always there. There’s a quiet grace in true acceptance that transcends chaos and fear.
In other words, if it feels like settling or giving up, it’s not acceptance. Acceptance is an embrace, not a letting go.