Acceptance Is a Lonely Road — But Once You Start Walking, You Will See the Light
The situation won’t change but accepting it as it is will provide a way forward.
“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
When you’re unwell and trying to get through the day, there are moments where you feel lonely. People keep away from you and you’re left alone to fend for yourself. You need to get all your stuff done, meet deadlines and reply to requests keeping your mental turmoil on a backseat.
I was unwell and understood this feeling a bit too well recently. I realised that ultimately, we all have one permanent person with us that is our own self.
Yes, it is hard and extremely difficult at times and you wish you had someone to listen rather than leave you alone. But the moment you accept this present moment, things turn for the better.
Acceptance — Strength or Defeat?
Acceptance is a harsh, strong and healing word. We want to refrain from accepting our defeat, refrain from accepting the situation as it is or refuse to accept that this is what is left after all your blood, sweat and tears.
Thus, is there strength in acceptance or defeat? That depends on our perception.
You may have been in a situation where you have given your all. And yet the outcome was the opposite. You wished from every cell in your body that the outcome was different. But the result left you hopeless and painful.
Do you then accept the situation the way it is or wallow in sorrow thinking why on Earth did things turn out the way it did?
You did everything right. You worked hard, provided for that relative who needed you when they were at their worst. Yet when the tables were turned and thought the favour would be returned, you fell flat on your face.
What do you do then, beat yourself up for thinking how naïve you were or accept the fact that the deeds we put out there may not be reciprocated as we like?
Acceptance then is not defeat; it is the realisation that life doesn’t work the way we want. We don’t fail when we accept situations. We somehow force ourselves to find the strength to get back on with our lives when we choose to see the situation as it is.
A Test of Patience
So many times, in my life I didn’t want to accept the situation that was in front of me. I wanted to scream and question the universe for the cards that landed on my table. I wanted to question every human or soul in front of me and ask where I went wrong only to be left disappointed.
The road to acceptance is lonely. It’s tiring and it will test your patience. But the test lies in how we don’t break and divert our attention towards working for those goals that will make a difference and inspire others.
Therefore, accept whatever mountain of burden you’re facing. It’s hard I know and you would give your everything to change the circumstance right now. But you and I know that life doesn’t work that way.
The only way forward is to see things as they are. Be patient through the pain and work towards things that give you a purpose. Divert that frustration towards productive activities. Do whatever gives you even a drop of mental peace and hope.
Take a walk, run, go cycling, read, write, talk to a friend, or eat something that makes you happy. Do whatever it takes to keep you going.
Because once you see things as they are, once you find the strength to accept what’s on your plate, once you take the decision to focus on your purpose, I promise you, you will look back to this day and thank the universe for everything that happened. And for that to take place, close your eyes, breathe and get back to your goals.
Thanks so much for your time!
