06/22/2025
Acceptance
This has been my biggest challenge for the past few years. I can't tell you how often I told myself I *should* be making X amount of money, I *should* be living in y house, and I * should* be doing and having things that honestly, I don't even want! It took me a lot of upheaval (loss of a spouse, COVID, changing jobs and moving twice, breast cancer, emergency hernia surgery, loss of a parent) to realize that where I am now is just fine. I have goals and plans for the future, but they won't happen if I'm not content with now first.
Things change. You think you have life figured out, and then the unthinkable happens. But, as the late Marc Carter always said, "You do what you gotta do," and move on.
Acceptance doesn't mean surrender or declaring helplessness or hopelessness. It means marking your starting point, being grateful for what you do have, and letting go of *should* in every possible way. Then, life becomes an adventure, and you get to see what happens next! Good or bad, you'll get through it, because you have before.
A lot of really good things have happened in the past several years, too. I've made many new friends; I've rekindled some old and dear friendships; I have learned SO MUCH; I've taught lots of fantastic students (several of whom are now teachers themselves); I became a yoga teacher; and now, I'm getting a 20% discount on my groceries...I could keep going all day...
I am okay. Now. Today. I have what I need. I have fun things planned, I have work to do, I have a roof over my head, and food on the table. All is well.
"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." --Carl Rogers (channelling another famous psychologist!)
Lots of love! 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
