Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation (an act of giving up); it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it. – Michael J. Fox
Where are you right now? You are probably wondering why you started this process to begin with. Chances are you have recognized some things about yourself that you were not aware of. Hopefully you’ve not only found somethings that you need to work on, but also discovered more of the things that make you happy. Congratulations, you’ve made it nearly halfway through the PAUSE; process. This stage has less work to it, but it can be the hardest part of your journey.
Stage 3:
Peacefully Accept & Understand the current state of your Spirit & Emotions
During this stage, continue to acknowledge your feelings and emotions, but also, learn to accept that this is where you are. There is no good or bad place to be at this point, just be where you are. We place an emphasis on peace because denying your current state of mental stability will do nothing to help you move forward.
You might have found the previous stages to be intense, tedious, and most likely frustrating. Congratulate yourself on getting to this place. Remember why you set out on this path initially. What brought you here?
- Were you experiencing an emotional roller coaster?
- Did you find yourself disconnected from the world around you?
- Were you trying to sort through recurring thought patterns?
- Are you trying to change addictive behaviors?
Remember why you started.
Acceptance – willingness to tolerate a difficult or unpleasant situation. Psalms 30:5 “… weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” The place you are in now is temporary. There is no need to work hard at acceptance because there truly isn’t much of a choice. Pray for comfort, peace, and understanding of what you are feeling. Ask for guidance and clarity. The next stage will be intense, so stage 3 is crucial to moving forward effectively.
Increase your level of understanding. Be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of what is going on in your mind. Make note of areas in which you need to make changes.
Accept these basic facts:
- No one is perfect.
- No feeling is right or wrong.
- It is ok to feel the way you do.
- Admitting that you have some thing to work through is a victory!
At this stage, spend some time in meditation. Add a little more prayer time. SEEK PEACE and UNDERSTANDING.
The Serenity Prayer is a great start when working on acceptance.
