Throughout history, different philosophies like Stoicism, Taoism, Buddhism, existentialism, and even modern concepts like the law of attraction have all sung praises about acceptance being key in personal growth.
"What you Resist, Persists. What you Accept, Transforms."
When we talk about acceptance, it’s essential to shine a light on two main things: what’s going on inside us (our identity on levels we’re aware of and those we’re not) and what’s happening outside (all the stuff around us that has an impact).
Although Jung’s quote (“What you resist, persists”) refers mainly to the internal aspect, it also applies perfectly to the external side of things.
Let’s face it – truth can sting, which might explain why so many people try to sweep it under the rug or act like it isn’t there. But pushing against what is (whether it’s within or around you) puts a roadblock on your personal growth and stops you from living our best lives.
Remember, your reality isn’t just about the situations you find yourself in; it’s about how you react to them. By generating resistance, you’re actually giving strength to the things you don’t like and letting them stick around longer than they should.
Tip of the day
Here are three easy steps to turn your quick reactions into more mindful and intentional responses:
- Become aware of the moments when resistance pops up in your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
- Take a nice, deep breath when you notice that resistance and consciously recognize accept the situation as it is.
- Let go of the need to control and and allow things to happen in their own way, different from what you had in mind.
Accept!
