April
- mary4255
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
AcceptanceAs April's persistent rains tap against our windows, I find myself drawn to the theme of acceptance. Perhaps it's because this season reminds us that we can't control the weather—neither outside nor within. Acceptance is about acknowledging what is, even when what is feels uncomfortable or unwelcome. Acceptance doesn't mean resignation or approval; rather, it's about facing reality without denial, resistance, or resentment. It's the foundation from which genuine change becomes possible. Is there a situation or feeling in your life that you're struggling to accept? I've been practicing acceptance intensely these past weeks. After sharing about my parents' passings, I've been navigating the landscape of grief—sometimes resisting the waves, other times learning to float with them. What I've discovered is that moving toward acceptance quickly is ideal, though rarely easy. I'm finding that balancing between facing reality and honoring my feelings, while not getting stuck in perseveration, helps me move through difficult experiences rather than around them. What might be waiting for your acceptance? Here are some approaches that might help you practice acceptance:
Remember that acceptance is not a one-time achievement but a practice. Some days will feel easier than others. The goal isn't perfection but progression. This month's quick tip:The Acceptance PauseWhy pause for acceptance? Because our default response to discomfort is often immediate reaction—avoidance, denial, or distraction—rather than thoughtful reflection and response. The Acceptance Pause is simple: when facing something difficult, take a conscious breath and say something like, "This is happening, and I can be with it." This creates space between stimulus and response, allowing you to choose your next step with awareness rather than autopilot. I practice this pause throughout my day—when receiving challenging news, facing a difficult conversation, or simply noticing my own resistance to what is. It doesn't make the difficulty disappear, but it does transform my relationship to it. As philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti noted, "The highest form of intelligence is the ability to observe without evaluating." The Acceptance Pause invites us into this intelligence. It’s finally here!I'm excited to share updated details about my online women's group:
Stay tuned for updates and future offerings. April ShowersThis month has been particularly raw and rainy in our area. While these gray days can feel endless and dreary, I'm reminded that this persistent precipitation serves a vital purpose—nourishing the soil, filling reservoirs, and coaxing reluctant blooms from their winter slumber. I've come to see these soggy days as a perfect metaphor for our internal "inclement weather." Those periods of emotional downpour—grief, anxiety, uncertainty—aren't pleasant while we're in them, but they serve essential functions in our growth. They water seeds of resilience, wash away what no longer serves us, and prepare the ground for future flourishing. We’ll explore this idea during our group session. When I find myself resisting these internal storms, I try to remember the tulips and daffodils that depend on April's showers. Our emotional downpours, too, bring necessary nourishment to parts of ourselves waiting to bloom. I also get outside to gather insight and reap the benefits of my direct experience with Mother Nature. What "internal weather" are you experiencing right now? Can you extend the same acceptance to your emotional landscape that nature offers to April's necessary rains? What growth might become possible if you allow yourself to be exactly where you are? |
What appears chaotic or unwelcome (like persistent rain or difficult emotions) contains hidden purpose and order when we practice acceptance. |
"Sometimes a tree tells you more than can be read in books.". —C.G. Jung |