The secret of acceptance is the minute we accept the truth of that which we are resisting, that changes it...actually, changes us. We have become, in that instant, nonresistant and at peace; we feel open and light whereas before we felt closed and dark. Be it noted that we seldom realize the instantaneous change for...however long it takes for our reasoning mind to detach.
The time it takes determines best whether we have reached acceptance (detached) or are still trying to make an end-run around that which we are resisting by calling it fine by me, or some such (still attached). Indeed, that is part of the process of learning how to let go.
It's akin to coming to an unending flight of stairs we must climb to get where we know we need to go. We stand at the bottom and stare up. We hesitate...pondering, dreading...then we pray, Find me another way, please and thank you. We repeat this process as many times as we think we need to, praying the same prayer each time, only with more intensity. When our discomfort becomes unbearable, we give up on self and God. We know despair. We need to get up those stairs. We cannot do it. This is also known as surrender.
It is when we take the first step up, disbelieving all the while and not a bit happy about it...hopeless, in a word...we find not only the strength but the want-to to take the second step, then the third...feeling lighter all the while. Better about our self even. The dreaded surrender has morphed into acceptance, and we're feeling the grace of gratitude.
This is a lifetime practice. There will be seemingly insurmountable stairs to climb...sometimes feels like every other day, but actually only until we learn the art of living gratitude as we breathe.
That art is simple. It's called praying without ceasing, and keeping thank you going is just that. We pray our thank you, and God's perfect work is his you're welcome.
Thank you.
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