The Power of Acceptance
Sometimes we observe other people’s lives and think we’ll never experience what they’re living, whether it’s a positive or negative situation. You think, “That will never happen to me.” Read on to find out more about the strength in surrender and the power of acceptance.
If we choose to see it, part of the real beauty of life, is that it’s unpredictable. Nothing is permanent, everything changes, and of course, a lot of things can happen that will transform who you are and have an impact on your life. The problem is that we need to cultivate the ability to truly accept whatever comes and embrace it.
Of course, life will bring many challenges, and it’s not easy to embrace them when we’re suffering and wishing those things had never happened. But if we start cultivating acceptance in our lives right now, we’ll likely be able to cope with future crises and view them from a different perspective. We can be better at accepting instead or resisting.
“Accept – then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy. This will miraculously transform your whole life.” ― Eckhart Tolle
Acceptance has been a focal part of my yoga practice over the past year or so. It is something I try to weave into the classes I teach but then I get moments of deep realisation that I am not practising what I preach. That I am pushing when it would bring me greater peace to be releasing, or that I am resisting the experiences that life is giving me.
For me, 2021 and 2022 were fairytales. A whirlwind of love, moving, marriage and family and in contrast 2023 was fraught with grief, loss and ongoing fertility issues. With these challenges, I struggle, I feel sad, frustrated, envious of others to name a few. But through this, I am trying to grow and to have a better understanding of myself.
A part of this growth is trying to embrace the wonderful spectrum of emotions that come my way. As human beings we are all able to fully embrace these vast and deep feelings if we choose to. I don’t mean to cling to the story behind the feeling, but to really FEEL the emotion as it is.
I think I have always been programmed to ‘think positively’ and not to ‘dwell’. Although I think there is value in that, I’m learning that there is more value in noticing the emotion whether we label it as ‘good’ or bad’ or ‘positive’ or ‘negative’, acknowledge it, and really FEEL how it sits in my body, and then I am better able to release it when I’m ready- it dissipates on this own accord, it loses its power because I allowed the space for it to serve it’s purpose, to give me a message, a sign of my present state, rather than pushing it down and ignoring it, which only serves to store it somewhere only to rise its head at a later date.
I look to yoga to help me with this. We often step onto our yoga mat seeking flexibility, strength, and maybe even a headstand or two. But amidst the sun salutations and downward dogs, something even more profound unfolds, the practice of acceptance.
“Of course there is no formula for success except, perhaps, an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.” ~Arthur Rubinstein
Acceptance isn’t about passive resignation or condonation. We can learn how to identify when it’s time to persist and when it’s time to accept. Acceptance is an active embrace of the present moment, imperfections and all. It’s the gentle sigh as we realize our hamstrings feel tight and how backs sore so our Downward Dog might not be picture-perfect today and that is OK. We can turn our focus instead and have the quiet determination to find our own version of the pose.
Just like our bodies, our minds are constantly in flux. Thoughts flit by like butterflies, anxieties tighten like knots, and desires whisper promises of “what ifs.” The yoga mat, if we allow it, can become a training ground for observing these thoughts without judgment, acknowledging their presence and then letting them go.
In Warrior II, we stand tall, grounded, yet open. We acknowledge our limitations, the wobble in our stance, the sweat on our brow. But we can also recognise our strength, the firmness in our legs, the steady rise and fall of our breath. This acceptance extends beyond the physical. It’s about accepting our past, our flaws, and even the things we can’t control.
As we twist and turn in Vrksasana (Tree Pose), we learn to navigate discomfort with grace. We feel the stretch, the resistance, but we also find stability, a deep sense of connection to our core. This translates to life’s challenges. Acceptance doesn’t mean avoiding discomfort; it means meeting it with resilience and understanding.
And then there’s Savasana, the final resting pose. Here, we truly surrender. We can release and let go of everything heavy that we carry upon our shoulders. We are not striving, not achieving, just simply being. This is the ultimate act of acceptance, a quiet celebration of ourselves, exactly as we are.
I am also discovering that acceptance is not a linear journey. There will be days when the poses feel effortless, and days when frustration bubbles up. But with each practice, we learn to soften our resistance, to find peace in the present moment, and to step off the mat with a heart more open, more accepting, of ourselves and, as a result, the world around us. Practising acceptance prepares us to live in this changing world, where we never know what’s going to happen next.
That’s the beginning of true acceptance. I know it’s hard to practice acceptance when you deeply wish things were different. But the truth is, sometimes we can’t change our reality, even if we try.
So as I navigate these choppy waters I am choosing not to judge what happens to me but instead to deeply realise that although I can be proactive, there are some things beyond my control. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that better things will always follow.
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up on growth. It’s the space where true transformation takes place. So, the next time you step onto the mat, remember, it’s not just about achieving poses, it’s about cultivating acceptance. Breathe, observe, and be kind to yourself. You are perfectly imperfect, and that’s where the magic happens. So instead of staring at the closed door in front of us, or getting tired and bruised while we try to break it down, let’s turn around and see how many other windows we have open.
If you’d like more information on yoga philosophy please contact me or book here to practise with me in Marlow, Twickenham and online.
With love
Anney xx
