Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it.
~ Michael J. Fox
I thought I was an accepting person until I realized I wasn’t.
Case in point: a little over a year ago I developed very painful arthritis and visited a long list of doctors, getting only minimal relief. Friends suggested alternative healing methods but, me being me, I scoffed. Months passed and with the pain still there I decided to try the alternative methods. Guess what? I got much-needed relief. I’m not 100% pain-free, but I’ve been helped a lot because I accepted treatment that I used to consider humbug.
Just like every human being, I experience hardships. But via acceptance, I think I’m managing them a little better.
Which got me to thinking. The coming holidays can be a time of contemplation and reflection. What better season to work on acceptance? Consider accepting your situation (whatever it may be), learn about it, and forge onward as opposed to maybe denying that the problem exists, instantly rejecting possible solutions, or adopting a “poor me” attitude.
Accept also possible setbacks: children may not always live up to our hopes and expectations, efforts to manage a situation may not work out as planned, or your family may resist your new approaches to a problem. You may be disappointed to discover that you don’t always adopt this “I can” attitude when confronted with challenges. I still dig in my heels so deeply sometimes I need a ladder to get out. And I’ve been known to have so many pity parties that I really should hire an event planner!
But with the holidays approaching, the opportunity might be perfect to consider acceptance. It could be a gift to yourself and your family that may help you with some issues in very positive ways.
By Claire Gawinowicz, Certified Parenting Educator