In this In-Between year of unearthing our Self, this month we explore the marker stone of acceptance. To embrace this in-between of what was and what will be is to become at ease not fully knowing where this leads. Our feelings of vagueness, uncertainty of what will be are counter with the solidness and security of what was. The former safe, the latter unsettling, and yet . . . calling. To leave what feels firm, solid for who knows what, feels incongruous to all we have believed to this point. Doesn’t more security, more stability, bring more fulfillment? Heeding this present state of in-between enables us to hear that which calls.
Is acceptance a quality of this exploration? And if so, acceptance of what?
If it were that straight forward, if life could be beautiful simply with the acquiescence to our surroundings, then what makes it so difficult to do? If acceptance is “the answer,” then why does it feel to do so one must give up something, which, quite frankly, feels kinda icky.
If we sit and contemplate adopting all that makes up our life, do we give up something we want in the process? Or in choosing what we want does that mean letting go of something that is part of our life? This either/or choice debilitating, like I said, an icky feeling.
Initially, floating between what was and what will be is scary. Rather than floating, it feels as if we will plummet into an abyss, to tumble for having let go of what was. So we tread to keep afloat waiting to see the new horizon. When we cease resisting, the Self rises to an open expanse where any and every direction becomes possible. Suddenly we can simply choose where we want to go, what path feels right. Lauding the In-Between, acknowledging what we are hanging onto, and letting go, releases the spirit from that which keep us from seeing with clarity what truly is our horizon.
Which way to go? As we float we become aware our past choices were based on someone else’s way, knowledge, idea. For so long we have lived through others in our life, the Self is uncertain. So much of our life defined by the duties we accepted. Of marriage. Of parenthood. Of community. Responsibilities that fill our days. To do well at work. To provide for our families. To contribute to society. All entangled with obligations that strain the sense of duty with our responsibilities. (The DOR’s of our living that is for another writing.) We believed our own knowledge and experience was less than what was outside us. Your Self long accepted being second to something else. Then we begin to question. “Why do I not believe my own knowledge, way, idea as best for me, sufficient, even at times exceptional?”
Is acceptance a quality of this exploration? And if so, acceptance of what?
- Our past?
- Where we are?
- Others?
- All of the above?
If it were that straight forward, if life could be beautiful simply with the acquiescence to our surroundings, then what makes it so difficult to do? If acceptance is “the answer,” then why does it feel to do so one must give up something, which, quite frankly, feels kinda icky.
If we sit and contemplate adopting all that makes up our life, do we give up something we want in the process? Or in choosing what we want does that mean letting go of something that is part of our life? This either/or choice debilitating, like I said, an icky feeling.
Initially, floating between what was and what will be is scary. Rather than floating, it feels as if we will plummet into an abyss, to tumble for having let go of what was. So we tread to keep afloat waiting to see the new horizon. When we cease resisting, the Self rises to an open expanse where any and every direction becomes possible. Suddenly we can simply choose where we want to go, what path feels right. Lauding the In-Between, acknowledging what we are hanging onto, and letting go, releases the spirit from that which keep us from seeing with clarity what truly is our horizon.
Which way to go? As we float we become aware our past choices were based on someone else’s way, knowledge, idea. For so long we have lived through others in our life, the Self is uncertain. So much of our life defined by the duties we accepted. Of marriage. Of parenthood. Of community. Responsibilities that fill our days. To do well at work. To provide for our families. To contribute to society. All entangled with obligations that strain the sense of duty with our responsibilities. (The DOR’s of our living that is for another writing.) We believed our own knowledge and experience was less than what was outside us. Your Self long accepted being second to something else. Then we begin to question. “Why do I not believe my own knowledge, way, idea as best for me, sufficient, even at times exceptional?”
What does all this have to do with acceptance? And more so acceptance of Self? In a conversation around someone in my life, words I share here were tossed back to me that in accepting this person for who they are, I would be able to move forward. Without pause, without contemplation, my inner voice posed, “Is it acceptance of this individual that is holds me or acceptance of my Self that challenges?” A long, slow ah-ha filled my view.
For so long, the outside signs have been the basis for where to go, how to choose which direction being based on someone or something else’s knowledge accepted as correct. Were the opinions of others, surrendering to their knowledge, their experience superior to our own?
Self-acceptance is a stage of In-Between and difficult because when we leave behind, let go, of what was, we leave what we thought defined us. We do not know what definitions to embrace? Sit with this for a minute. Shift your perspective from accepting everything outside to all that lies inside. Self-Acceptance is the next step in moving through the In-Between.
To listen to the choices coming from our Self means trusting our own knowledge, believing our own experience and accepting we are enough, sufficient, and capable of choosing what is right for us. Our stream, the natural rhythms we seek to follow, are found in our Self verse others. When we do feel our stream, our current, we then go to where we are truly meant to journey.
Float between what was and will be, in that place that is with the awareness that the choice of where to explore is only and truly your own. Be patient and enjoy the exploration of acceptance of Self, through it will come, with ease, that cliché “Acceptance [of others} will set you free.”
For so long, the outside signs have been the basis for where to go, how to choose which direction being based on someone or something else’s knowledge accepted as correct. Were the opinions of others, surrendering to their knowledge, their experience superior to our own?
Self-acceptance is a stage of In-Between and difficult because when we leave behind, let go, of what was, we leave what we thought defined us. We do not know what definitions to embrace? Sit with this for a minute. Shift your perspective from accepting everything outside to all that lies inside. Self-Acceptance is the next step in moving through the In-Between.
To listen to the choices coming from our Self means trusting our own knowledge, believing our own experience and accepting we are enough, sufficient, and capable of choosing what is right for us. Our stream, the natural rhythms we seek to follow, are found in our Self verse others. When we do feel our stream, our current, we then go to where we are truly meant to journey.
Float between what was and will be, in that place that is with the awareness that the choice of where to explore is only and truly your own. Be patient and enjoy the exploration of acceptance of Self, through it will come, with ease, that cliché “Acceptance [of others} will set you free.”
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