Here are a couple of insightful quotes on acceptance, followed by my thoughts on the subject:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr
“Acceptance doesn’t mean endorsement or saying that things are good. It means accepting bad reality and recognising that limited change is likely in the world right now.” – Albert Ellis
So, what does acceptance really mean for us? Accepting that everyone has their own agendas, attitudes, beliefs, choices, and perceptions is a start. Understand that things will never be perfect; hurdles will always exist, and people will occasionally disappoint us.
While accepting and adapting often lowers stress in most situations, there are instances that demand a different approach. For example, in cases of physical or verbal abuse, or tragic events, acceptance means acknowledging that the event occurred and cannot be undone. These situations might require assertiveness or seeking assistance to address the issue, but holding onto the incident is not necessary.
When we accept that life constantly presents new challenges (even if they are temporary), it becomes easier to manage stress. Remember, there’s a difference between adapting to something and adopting it as if it’s acceptable.
Accept that “perfection” doesn’t exist and that you cannot please everyone all the time (including yourself).
Finally, accept that you are responsible for your own mental and physical health. Self-care is a high priority—how can you effectively care for others if you are depleted?
To learn more about taking care of yourself, get in touch with me here.