Finding Acceptance

Here is a newsflash - you are not in control of everything.

Now, knowing this intellectually is one thing, but truly KNOWING is something else entirely. So let me say it again: You are NOT in control of everything.
This includes day to day events in your life, your interactions with others, the weather - all of it.

But that's okay.

Once you know this, when bumps arrive on the highway of life, you can recognize and release. This doesn't always come easily, when we're emotionally invested in something. You need to have a certain amount of detachment from your experiences, so you can experience them, without identifying with them. Does that make sense? If you identify with every passing experience, every passing exchange with another individual, when those things pass, a piece of you passes with it. This will rob us of the experience. But I digress. I cannot stress enough the importance of the breath during stressful times, or at the very least when things don't go our way. So let's go through an example of finding acceptance...

You have plans with someone, and they cancel. There are a millions reasons for cancelling of course, but the reason doesn't take away from the fact that you won't be seeing the person. (Though "good" reasons will often help us along with our accepting) You can recognize the disappointment within you, honour it. Pretending it isn't there, or denying yourself the chance to experience it will result in much worse. Take a deep breath... if it's a particularly big disappointment, take more than one. (The air is free!) Hold the breath... and release.... Make sure when you exhale that you're pushing out the negativity you're holding within you. With each subsequent inhale breathe in acceptance. Notice how it feels different within you. It should feel lighter. (If not, rinse, repeat) :)

Edit: I posted this late last night, and missed an integral part of acceptance. When we get information, facts, what have you, that show us that something is not as we'd like it to be (could be anything from seeing the weather won't compliment your plans for the day, to finding evidence of infidelity, etc) - don't use these facts to fester on and ruin your day. Of course depending on the situation, it may very well ruin your day. What I'm saying is, don't torture yourself with it: it is what it is. Be grateful that now you know, and use the knowledge to find acceptance. And of course, don't forget to breathe. :)

Finding acceptance plays a huge part in making it through the day without too much frustration. As crass as it is, sh!t happens. And a lot is out of our control. Once you can surrender to the experience, you can release the attachment that you once held, leaving you freer, lighter. So don't be a victim of the things you can't manoever - release, and accept, and move on to the next thing.

Much love,
Seena Beana