I’m Told to Practice Acceptance, What Does That Mean?

Things happen to us that we don’t have any control over throughout our lives. It doesn’t matter what kind of major event happens (illness, job loss, death) it needs to be accept as reality. In the same way, accept the outcomes when you fail or make a critical error. Accept it for what it is: an experience and a lesson. And then go ahead and do it even better next time. That is the true meaning of acceptance. 

The reality can be challenging to comprehend at times. On the other hand, acceptance is the key to a happy existence. The sooner you accept the things you can’t change, the faster you’ll find happiness. That is why there are various health benefits of acceptance too.

What is Acceptance?

Acceptance is a person’s acknowledgement of a situation. Recognizing a process or condition without attempting to change it or protest it. People may simply accept financial hardships, poor relationships and unfulfilling jobs as part of life. On the other hand, acceptance relates to our present-moment experience of thoughts and feelings in psychology. A person can be accepting while yet taking steps to improve their situation.

What are the Types of Acceptance?

It is easy to be in constant conflict with ourselves. We focus on our worst traits, trying to change the people around us, and being dissatisfied with the results. Alternatively, we can either accept everyone–including ourselves–for who they are without passing judgment. Acceptance is of various types like:

Self-acceptance

Self-acceptance is a state of mind that helps you accept yourself for who you are. It means accepting your habits, abilities, and appearance. A study found 5 out of 10 people had accepting traits for themselves.

Social acceptance

Social acceptability is the degree to which people are drawn into social interactions. Prejudice and stigma can be barriers to social acceptance. Children, adults, and teens are all affected by social acceptance.

Implied 

Implied acceptance is proved by any actions demonstrating a person’s approval to the proposed bargain but is not explicitly stated. An implied acceptance happens when a shopper selects an item in a supermarket and pays the cashier for it. These actions suggest that they have accepted the supermarket owner’s offer to sell the item at a price listed on the label.

Expressed 

Expressed acceptance entails a blatant acceptance of the given conditions. A person accepting an offer, for example, plainly and explicitly.

Conditional 

Conditional acceptance is a sort of acceptance that necessitates the change of the original conditions. Before the ultimate acceptance is made.

Is it Okay to Practice Acceptance?

Acceptance is defined as “assuming a nonjudgmental perspective and actively accepting the experience of ideas, feelings, and physiological sensations as they occur” in psychology. It is a difficult task, particularly in difficult times like this. However, we suffer when we refuse to accept reality as it is. To be clear, acceptance does not imply approval of reality; instead, it refers to the ability to understand reality accurately.

Acceptance isn’t the same as ‘giving in.’ Its inaction is far from passive. When we react to something unexpected, we are frequently swept away by a wave of unpleasant ideas and sensations. This makes us even more miserable. Instead, we have the option of responding with awareness. We can choose how to respond rather than just reacting if we first accept whatever has happened or how we feel.

What are the Benefits of Practicing Acceptance?

1. Acceptance aids in the validation of one’s emotional experience. Understandably, you’re terrified, furious, depressed, and worried. These are normal emotional responses considering the spectrum of human behavior. You are free to express yourself. Don’t be too hard on yourselves for having emotions. Acceptance does not imply that you approve of the feeling; rather, it indicates that you are naming it for what it is, without the baggage that comes with it.
2. Acceptance aids in our development as issue solvers. Maybe we don’t want to accept that we have a problem with addiction or that our job no longer fulfills us. We are better positioned to examine our options and adopt an appropriate action plan once we embrace reality rather than remaining in denial or resistance. And besides, denying fact does not affect reality.
3. Acceptance enables us to establish our demands while also recognizing that others may feel differently than we do and understanding why they feel that way. In contrast to the “my way or the highway” mindset, this approach fosters mutual respect and cooperation.
4. Acceptance necessitates a mental shift toward a willing rather than a willful attitude by:

(a) paying attention to how your body feels

(b) paying attention to your thoughts

(c) relaxing your body to allow fresh information and awareness to enter your consciousness.

Speaking or writing out the element of reality that you’re having difficulties with, looking at the repercussions of embracing this reality, and allowing yourself to mourn the reality that you hoped for are some tactics for promoting acceptance. Allow yourself to feel your disappointments and rage before moving forward into a new world.

We are better ready to let go of bitterness and its accompanying suffering when we embrace something that happened a long time ago, a current dilemma, or a fear about the future.

5.  This might be a difficult one to overcome, but moving on from previous regrets and understanding that you weren’t the greatest version of yourself at the time is a crucial part of self-acceptance.

So, before we can forgive ourselves, we must first admit that we made a mistake. Take responsibility for your mistake and admit it; then, save what you learned from the experience but let go of the rest. 

6. When we choose to respond to an incident or a problem from a place of acceptance, we become more conscious. It becomes simpler to perceive things for what they are from this more aware vantage point and then to identify answers if any exist. Alternatively, to recognize that there isn’t a solution and instead choose to remain in a state of acceptance until the problem passes or a solution becomes available.

How to be More Accepting in Nature?

It is critical to understand how to be more a   ccepting of others and yourself in today’s world, regardless of their views or opinions.

• Keep an eye on your thoughts – Consider what you’re contemplating if you’re guilty of thinking negative thoughts about other people and judging them without even recognizing them. Say to yourself, “you are going to try to pay more attention to your thoughts,” and try to steer them in a more accepting, nonjudgmental way.
• Place yourself in their shoes – How can you accept someone if you don’t know what they’re going through? You can better understand someone’s thoughts, viewpoints, and beliefs by putting yourself in their shoes. Next time you talk to someone with a different point of view, listen to them and try to comprehend the issue from their perspective.
• Acknowledge the reality – Accepting other people for who they are rather than who you want them to be is crucial for everything from establishing healthy relationships to positively impacting those around you. Every time you take someone for who they are, you’re welcoming a new friend, 

a new experience, and a new opportunity to learn how to embrace others into your life.

• Search for the positives – Consider all of the positive aspects of the meeting rather than the negative aspects when learning to be more accepting of others.
• Avoid making black-and-white distinctions – Life’s all too easy to perceive the world in black and white, with right and wrong answers, but that’s not how it works. If you choose to take on things as they are, they don’t have to be right or wrong. You’re going to quit referring to your approach as “correct.”
• Mindfulness – Mindfulness entails both awareness and acceptance of one’s current situation. Meditation, which entails devoting a period to observing experience without judgment, is a traditional approach to practicing mindfulness. Even if you don’t meditate, you can include thoughtful moments in your daily life.

Seek Professional Help 

You can also seek professional counseling if you face a difficult circumstance in life or cannot accept the past and remain stuck there. Contact us to know more about acceptance and take professional help.