The Gift(s) of Acceptance

Whatever the present moment contains,
accept it as if you have chosen it.
~ Eckhart Tolle

These words of Eckhart Tolle, a true master of the now, are simple but not easy to do. This is because to actually accept the present moment is a challenging act that requires our letting go of having any (or as few as possible) expectations, assumptions, longing, or wanting things a certain way. So often this will feel impossible to do yet you know there are those instances when you are able to let go and to choose acceptance of what is. And that is the point; to accept whatever the present circumstances you find yourself in as if you had chosen it, and to do this again and again.

This level of acceptance I have come to recognize is well worth striving for despite how unobtainable it can feel some days. What I am suggesting here is that despite appearances, and despite how discouraged you may be feeling at a given moment; push on through and notice what happens when you are able to choose:

the stand still traffic you just hit
the line at the bank that is not moving
the indefinite wait on the subway platform because every subway train that stops is too full to get on
the rainy day
the arrival of cold
the return of shorter days because it’s getting darker earlier
the hospital bill that arrived in the mail that your health insurance is supposed to cover
your feeling sick

Of course you have your own list but this one is to help you to get this acceptance/choice idea. And, grrrrrrrr yes, easier said then done! The point is; when we can accept what’s on our list as if we have chosen it life actually becomes so much easier and tolerable.

Tolerability and happiness are not the only reason for accepting the ongoing moments of now in our life time. Acceptance of what is, and choosing just that; is what allows us see what “the present moment contains. ” This matters because a big important part of what it contains are the many unexpected gifts of the special insights and understandings we need to grow and expand more deeply into our own becoming, something we are all programmed to do.

Let me explain!

To become who we are requires a special combination of our taking decisive action to create change and possibility in combination with our accepting what is and choosing that. This is not to negate being proactive. What I am suggesting though is when we are able to accept and not try and change either the good or hard moments of our day be it in: our relationships, our work, our family life, our personal health and well being, we are opening ourselves up to receiving precisely what we need to further our own becoming. This is because the universe conspires always to give us the exact teachings and lessons we need in order to help us become who we are. When we accept what is happening “like we have chosen it” we open ourselves to receive the very nourishment we need to grow and become who we are here to become.

Now if you have any doubt here, I invite you to follow Eckhart Tolle’s wise words:

“Whatever the present moment contains,accept it as if you had chosen it.”

I am quite certain that the more you practice this the better you will get at accepting the gifts that are meant just for you so that you may become who you are here to become! Make it your mantra: Accept, choose, and become. Accept, choose, and become!