Wed 8 Mar 2006
Acceptance Is The Answer To All My Problems Today
Posted by Corilee under Yoga Off the Mat , It's Just LifeI’ve been reading this in classes this week. It’s from the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book:
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation — some fact of my life — unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.
Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.
For me it doesn’t mean you like it, approve of it, are happy and gleeful about it. Just that you make peace with needing to change it or fix it. It’s about making peace with the reality you find yourself in,whatever it is.
And the next step is trusting that there’s some logic to it, even if you don’t see any. Because so often we can’t see the big picture. I remember the only time I was unemployed I went to job interview and *really* wanted the job. I actually shed tears when I didn’t get it - and later? I found out more about it and was so relieved it didn’t happen. I would have hated it. I really dodged a bullet. But I didn’t know that, the people hiring likey saw that I wouldn’t have been a good fit - I should have thanked them!
So now I trust the job hunting process. I trust that the right thing comes along because I just can’t see the big picture. Because really, what’s the alternative?
June 1st, 2006 at 12:10 am
I was so glad to find this gem of wisdom today. Acceptance always goes hand in hand with trust. I should have thanked them is such a humble reply and so open to recognizing that we just don’t know what is the best outcome.
I remember I wanted one job and didn’t get it and a year later realized the company was no longer in existence. I would have been on another search for a job instead of building at the one I was in. Just having to search again after one merger would’ve really killed my spirit and instead I have had a year and half to build my confidence and my spirit is stronger and more realistic. Even the present job isn’t a dream job, however I am changing my attitudes toward it everyday that it is a great job that serves balance for my life. Just the power of changing my focus and my attitude is creating a positon and an inner focus that I would not have had if I had gotten what I wanted.
I want this spiritual principle to overlap into other areas. Accept and seek trust and be ready to say thank you to whatever because we just do not know what is the best outcome.
Jennifer