When I think of acceptance on the external plane, the world of duality in which we live, I think back to my childhood. I wasn’t the most accepting kid, in fact I pushed nearly everything to the limits until I was forced to accept defeat of what I wanted and didn’t get.
So you can imagine acceptance didn’t come easily for me throughout my life, which only caused more pain than needed, and I am sure there is a lot of you who can identify with that, not only through childhood but adulthood as well.
Again, let’s go to Merriam-Webster;
Acceptance
: the act of accepting something or someone
: the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable
It sounds like to me that acceptance is more of a place you come to rather than one that simply exists, according to these definitions. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a place of peace, more from a place of neutrality, but that could be my experiences affecting the interpretation.
On the spiritual platform, in the 12 Step programs, the first three steps add up to acceptance, for example;
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Meaning; I can’t do this myself
- Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Meaning; He can do it
- Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Meaning; I think I’ll let Him
Synopsis
I can’t, He can, I think I’ll let Him
These three steps are absolutely necessary for anyone beginning this spiritual program. It is the beginning of acceptance, there is the defeat or surrender that seems to be that place of neutrality here, but so much more will be revealed as one goes through the 12 steps process, they come to a place not of surrender in defeat, but wanting all of this without a iota of hesitation.
This is acceptance on a spiritual platform, where one is not simply exchanging one thing for another or accepting someone or something simply because you cannot get what you desire. It is a place where you gladly give up anything, because you have no doubt that what you are receiving is for the ultimate good of your development and those you love.
Peace be with you,
Michael