Welcome to the Mindful Quality Challenge: Week 5 Acceptance

This week your job is to work on noticing and implementing the quality of acceptance.

““Acceptance does not mean putting up with or resigning yourself to anything. Acceptance is about embracing life, not merely tolerating it. Acceptance literally means "taking what is offered." It doesn't mean giving up or admitting defeat; it doesn't mean just gritting your teeth and bearing it. It means fully opening yourself to your present reality - acknowledging how it is, right here and now, and letting go of the struggle with life as it is in this moment.”

— Russ Harris, MD

5 Tips to Work on Acceptance

1. Acceptance of What Exists in this Moment

Knowledge and awareness can help you to be present to what is in this moment. It is through being present and aware that acceptance can ensue. Take an inventory of different areas of your life. Perhaps take a 8 1/2 x 11 size piece of paper and fold it into four quadrants. Sample quadrants: work, family, projects working on and intentions you are working toward. This inventory is just a list or notes about what belongs in the different areas. There are no value judgments of what is listed. This inventory is noticing what is today JUST AS IT IS!

2. Acceptance of Your Strengths

There are times strengths get pushed to the back burner and don't get a lot of brain time. This might be because you are focused on your weaknesses. But it could also be that you just aren't used to embracing them. It is interesting to think of the social component and sharing strengths. How it is or isn't acceptable to share your strengths. Make a list today of five of your strengths. Then read the list to yourself in the morning when you wake up all week. If you are feeling really motivated, share the list with someone in your life that you feel comfortable doing so.

3. Acceptance of Your Imperfections

You are who you are imperfections and all. Think of three imperfections that make you unique and are goofy or silly aspects of yourself. Share these with someone you feel comfortable doing so. Don't forget to smile. Ok, I am going to write my list and share it with the world.

Mondegreen is a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase. Example, I thought the song by ZZ Top Sharp Dressed Man for decades was Short Dressed Man.
Malapropoism is the use of an incorrect word in place of a word with a similar sound. Example, I am going to cross my I's and dot my T's instead of dot my I's and cross my T's.
I am addicted to chapstick and believe in a conspiracy theory that once you start using it there is something in the product that gets you to have to keep using it.

4. Acceptance When Things Don't Go Your Way

We as humans like to have control over how things are going to turn out. We like to know when things are going to happen. However, we don't have all the control. Unfortunately, we interact in a world where other people and events play into how life unfolds. When something doesn't go your way today try to accept it. You never know this event could be "opening you up for some new delight" as Rumi puts it.

5. A Lesson on Living

The Serenity Prayer speaks volumes to being accepting of life as it is.

“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.”

Please pass this on. Please share your experiences on social media.

Warmly, Gina Biegel

Photo Credit: Lee Freedman