Acceptance

[dizzychainsaw]

I have been struggling a lot with acceptance lately so I'd like to know: What does acceptance mean to you?

[PaperDolls]

For me acceptance is about seeing what the truth really is. It's fact.....often times, I'd rather be in denial about stuff.

As far as struggling with it, I still do some days, depending on what it is I'm trying to accept. Generally, it's thinks that I wish were different. There really is no thought given to accepting when things are going my way, of course I can accept those things!

I have to accept everything in my life today. Just seeing things for what they really are.

Acceptance does not mean I like it.

[mfanch]

Acceptance= it is what it is.

I only need to focus on what *I* need to change about *me* and my attitudes. I can't do much about anything else in the world.

[Mark75]

Acceptance is tough and I think it's why admitting powerlessness is the very first thing we do when working the steps.

[bbthumper]

My lack of ability to accept things is the source of pretty much any dis-ease I feel in my life. Its when God stops doing MY WILL. For me, the statement that helps get me on track to take the action necessary to receive acceptance is "we had to fearlessly face the proposition that God is everything or He is nothing. He either is or He isn't. What was our choice to be?"

What's my choice? My plans or God's. My track record suggests I should stick with God's. Like I said this usually puts me on track to take action to receive acceptance. I typically do not have the power to just suddenly accept a seemingly unacceptable situation. It usually takes work. Prayer, meditation, inventory, service. Eventually I fit myself to be able to receive that acceptance.

[2granddaughters]

pg 449 explains it quite well.

"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 my attitudes."

All the best.

Bob R

[Lily]

Acceptance for me starts at home. Say for instance I have my day planned, then the hubby comes in and says he needs help w/ a piece of farm machinary...perhaps a part at the part store and could I run and pick it up?

Acceptance means having the ability to drop everything, help hubby and trust God that I will get everything done that I need to get done in His timing.....

Acceptance for me means that when my son came home June 1 for a couple of days and he is still here, it is okay.

And when my son and I talk politics today and we do not agree, it is OKAY cuz I have ceased fighting anyone or anything and to be perfectly honest I am thankful to have raised a young man who thinks for himself!

I would not have any of this w/out the program of AA.

Those are just small examples of acceptance for me in my week.

Blessings,

Lily

[SDSurfn]

Acceptance was very difficult for me. My refusal to fully accept to my core the nature of my condition, kept me drinking for years.

But acceptance makes all the difference, for me anyway.

I had people here at SR tell me this a thousand times. And I needed to hear it every time.

I have accepted that I can no longer safely consume alcohol in any amount, because I am an alcoholic. I'm not like the normies out there.

I accept this. I am ok with this.

The real work of living a sober life has just begun, and I look forward to it with a grateful heart, for I have given up the fight.

I have accepted.

[Mark75]

Thanx for your post Lily... I identify.

So often I will have a picture in my mind how our Saturday will go, or an evening... My wife will have another picture in her mind, LOLOLOLOL... And I am finding that if I put my preconceived ideas or what I want aside and let Him in, that my relationship with my wife improves... Not because she gets what she wants, because sometimes we do what I was thinking... but by stepping aside and letting things happen instead of working against the grain to get what I want... every time... life gets better.

[pipparina]

reading through the answers, it occurred to me that part of acceptance is letting go. Letting go of forcing my own plans, ideas, opinions. Letting go of forcing my will on life. Not an easy thing, this letting go (and trusting that it will turn out ok).

I heard a great line in a meeting one time. The guy was explaining how hard it was to let go of things in life. He said "Everything I've let go of had claw marks on it".

I thought that explained me pretty well!

[bbthumper]

Originally Posted by Mark75

Thanx for your post Lily... I identify.

So often I will have a picture in my mind how our Saturday will go, or an evening... My wife will have another picture in her mind, LOLOLOLOL... And I am finding that if I put my preconceived ideas or what I want aside and let Him in, that my relationship with my wife improves... Not because she gets what she wants, because sometimes we do what I was thinking... but by stepping aside and letting things happen instead of working against the grain to get what I want... every time... life gets better.

Well put, Mark. Beautiful!

[Boleo]

Originally Posted by dizzychainsaw

What does acceptance mean to you?

Acceptance = expectations - detachment.

All expectations are seeds for resentment.

[Tommyh]

honesty