Acceptance and its relevance when overcoming difficult moments

As we commented in our article last month where we talked about the first principle in order to have a full life, this month we are going to talk about the second principle; the acceptation.

You can only aspire to an internal transformation when you accept yourself exactly as you are.

The change only happens after the total acceptance of our Being. To change the way you think, feel, act, you must also accept others, the world, as well as all your past experiences, even the most dramatic ones. Change is not made, it is allowed to happen.

• Related article: "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): principles and characteristics"

What is acceptance?

Acceptance is the action of accepting the world, ourselves, others and, mainly, the unpredictability of life.

It is common to hear that life is not fair and horrible things happen to good people.. It's true! The fact that life is unpredictable and that we do not have complete control over what happens to us creates imbalances and anguish that are difficult to face.

It is not always easy to live this principle of acceptance. A person who accepts himself, with his past, qualities and defects, will surely go much further in life. life, and you will have a better chance of reaching your goals, as well as serving as an inspiration to the people who are close to you. nearby.

If the person does not accept the qualities, defects and limitations that he possesses, he is fragmented. Change is vital and inevitable in the life of any individual, it is implicit in the acceptance of ourselves and the world. This is the only way to achieve a full life.

Some hard truths to accept - What are yours?

The truth is liberating. However, in an initial phase, living according to the truth can be a source of unhealthy thoughts and fatal behaviors:

• My partner died... It doesn't make sense to live. I am going to kill me. I feel bad, suffering, helpless, alone, incomplete... I'm going to isolate myself at home. I do not want to see anybody!

• I have a terminal illness. I'm going to die. I hate my God! I feel sorry for myself, I feel fear, anxiety, envy of the health of others. I became arrogant, rebellious, confrontational with doctors and nurses.

• I suffer from financial instability... I'm going to lose my house and car, I'm going to take my children out of school, I can't pay my debts... It's better to kill me... I feel powerless to control the situation. I'm frustrated and I'm scared! I am going to bet my last changes in some games to see if there is any luck, if he gives me some help. I will not pay taxes. I'm going to run away!

• I am an addict. I will never be able to stop! Nobody understands me and they are all against me. I feel empty and incomplete. I don't belong anywhere. I'm afraid. I'm going to use another dose to self-destruct.

"Nothing is permanent, except change"

The famous phrase of Heraclitus is based on the notion of the eternal transformation. The difference of a person who is accepted, with respect to the one who is not accepted, is the disposition for changes. Many of the frustrations and anguish that are faced come from wanting to be what we are not. It is not possible to be happy and feel complete without accepting ourselves.

The person who accepts himself has a much better chance of being happy in his relationships AND in his profession, and will know how to deal with his own inner conflicts. Living in acceptance is being comfortable with yourself and with others. It is to develop internal capacities. It is to be able to live the "here" and "now. Living in acceptance is being authentic.

Freedom is nothing more than opening your eyes to the world and to others and closing your ears to the voices that are born of fear. This has to do with an ancient tale.

• You may be interested in: "Resilience: definition and 10 habits to enhance it"

concluding

Who manages to accept life as it is, will always have more talent to deal with any adverse circumstance. Accepting our reality is nothing more than surrendering to the evidence that there are things that cannot be altered. There are good things, there are bad things, but we can't do anything against that. On the other hand, the positive only exists by opposition to the negative.

Acceptance is knowing that everything in life is always in constant motion. By assuming this reasoning as true, the need to control everything around us disappears, which leads to a decrease in stress and anxiety.