ACCEPTANCE IS APPROVAL

‘’Accept then act. Whatever the present moment contains accept it as if you have chosen it. Always work with it, not against it…this will miraculously transform your life.’’ Eckhart Tolle

 What is acceptance? Why do we accept?

The definition of acceptance as per the Oxford dictionary is-willing to accept.

Basically, it is the approval of everything. In the recent past I have come across the difficulties faced by certain group of persons and their sufferings.

A man in his late fifties was taking the class of few students, the number of students expected to attend the class were about forty. Whereas there were only ten students present. On inquiring with little effort, I learnt the students who have not attended the class were not interested in what was the lecturer saying. Instead, they were mocking, laughing and making fun of him. The elderly person was calm and compose in his voice and expressions.

After completing the class when he stepped out, he met a friend a little older to him. As usual his friend asked him the same questions that whether his class went well and how he felt that day. The man replied to his friend that it was like the previous ones nothing has changed. He told him that he was not feeling good and tired of all this. He further explained about his plight that when he was in his prime youth people loved to listen and follow him. Despite having so much experience the people do not value and listen to him. His friend asked him that how much he valued himself. The man started sobbing and replied that when others do not value him, there was no reason for him to value himself. His friend gently patted his shoulder and said smilingly, ‘’I value you, that is why I am here with you. I crave to meet you daily’’. He further added in a firm voice,” Don’t forget to value yourself, your own approval for yourself is more important’’.

Acceptance of the self is approval of the self, the man learnt the best lesson of life from his friend, that helped him to live life full of contentment.

Acceptance plays a vital role in our lives. Almost all of us suffer as we do not accept the changes around ourselves. Either we get stressed by those or feel helpless. At times we also feel ourselves trapped in the circumstances and become stressful. We also think that we were not meant for such type of dilemma. As we grow up become more adamant to adapt anything. The younger persons keep themselves open to new opportunities, situations, problems and their solutions.  Children face many difficult and unfavourable situations in their lives but they come out those very soon as they have a very strong support system in their lives in the form of their families. Similarly, youth who are connected to their families and believe in making them as part of their problems, have a strong emotional support system in their lives. They can seek their advice almost in all types of affairs. All types of parents are always ready to help and support their children.

When the people grow old or say in their late fifties or sixties or after their retirement, they start believing that they are ignored and neglected. They feel shattered, helpless, weak and broken as they feel that their knowledge and experience are worth for nothing. In our society people never learn to be emotionally strong. The parents spend most of their time while raising their children fulfilling their all type of demands. As the children grow up, they start spending their time with their children, this cycle goes on from ages. They become dependent on their children for their daily requirements. Whereas it’s more appropriate for them to develop few skills as per their tastes, which prove helpful for them as well as for their families. There is no need to live in sadness, it’s time to accept the things as they are. The people after retirement need to rejuvenate themselves and feed themselves with positive energy.

The wheel of time moves very fast, but it seems slower when we do not want to switch on from bad situations.

Acceptance is very important in our lives. The three main categories of acceptance are-

1.Acceptance of the Universe.

Everything that happens, have a strong reason behind it. Life has not just happened to us, we are meant to be here for a divine cause, to contribute, to learn, to grow and to share our knowledge. To add value to our lives and the lives of others. Whatever is happening is good and for our benefit. Universe has its secrets when we believe in the grace of Almighty every possible good happens to us. Acceptance is the power that attach us to the entire Universe. We never thought of ,if, it would be sun for all the year or no sun for the full year, we accept the natural course as it is, so  we need to accept all that happens around us.

2.    Acceptance of the self.

We must accept ourselves as we are, the way we are? We cannot step in the roles of others, each one of us has our role to play. We can appreciate or criticise others but we cannot become the same. We all are unique and uniqueness is our inner beauty. We must accept our weaknesses and flaws. We should also work on our strengths along with our weaknesses. Accept your mistakes, learn and grow from those.

3.Acceptance of the others.

We can change ourselves not the others. Focus on your thoughts and growth. Our happiness is our choice, it’s not dependent on others. Accept the people around you as they are irrespective of their appearance, behaviour, social status, tastes, choices etc.

Every situation in our life leaves us with two thoughts -the thought of acceptance and the thought of denial. You can accept yourself, but cannot force your acceptance on others. Even if you feel rejected by the whole world don’t reject yourself. The goodness and beauty of your mind are always there to accept you.

We must accept everything in our life that is really good and acceptable to make our life happier and more meaningful.