Acceptance is a practice, not a destination from "summary" of The Radical Acceptance of Everything by Ann Weiser Cornell
Acceptance is not something we achieve and then hold onto forever. It is not a final destination that we reach and remain in for the rest of our lives. Instead, acceptance is a practice that we engage in moment by moment, day by day. It is an ongoing process of opening ourselves to whatever is happening in the present moment, without judgment or resistance.
When we see acceptance as a practice, we free ourselves from the expectation that we need to reach some fixed state of perfect acceptance. We understand that there will be times when acceptance comes easily, and times when it feels challenging or even impossible. And that's okay. The practice of acceptance is not about attaining a certain level of proficiency; it is about showing up with curiosity and compassion, no matter what.
In this practice, we learn to meet each moment with a sense of openness and willingness. We allow ourselves to experience whatever is arising, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, without trying to change it or make it go away. We cultivate a sense of spaciousness and gentleness towards ourselves and our experience, recognizing that everything that arises is a natural part of life.
By approaching acceptance as a practice, we give ourselves permission to be imperfect, to stumble and fall, and to pick ourselves back up again. We let go of the idea that we need to have it all figured out, and we embrace the messy, unpredictable nature of being human. In this way, acceptance becomes not a rigid goal to strive for, but a flexible and resilient way of being in the world.
As we engage in the practice of acceptance, we begin to see that it is not a one-time achievement, but a continuous unfolding. Each moment offers us a new opportunity to practice acceptance, to soften our resistance, and to open our hearts to whatever life brings. And in this ongoing practice, we discover a profound sense of freedom and peace that transcends the ups and downs of our daily lives.
