The first step
to
Enlightenment
is
Acceptance.

Acceptance
of yourself,
of others,
of life.

It is
accepting
who you are,
warts and all.

It is
understanding
that you
are her
by choice,
by plan,
by purpose.

Each
of your qualities,
each
of your attributes,
are designed
by you,
for you,
accept it.

If there is
some aspect
of yourself
that you do not
like,
take action
to change it.

If someone else
acts contrary
to what you believe
is in your
best interests,
ask yourself
why?

Did you create
the catalyst
for the action?

Is the action
truly what
you believe,
or is it your bias
influencing
your perception?

Is it
the other person’s
issue,
and not yours?

Learning
how to handle
difficult situations
is always challenging,
it is also
very rewarding.

Acceptance
of yourself,
leaves
judgment,
criticism,
low self-esteem,
and other
negative factors,
behind.

They have
served
their purpose.

You
no longer
need them.

Accept them,
let go
of them,
and move on
from them.

Acceptance
does not mean
no more
challenges.

If anything,
it increases
the likelihood
of them.

What it does mean
is that,
your approach
to challenges
changes.

Your first step
is to
accept them.

Your next step
is to
understand
why they
are here
in your life?

You can then
identify
what you
can learn.

Learn from them,
then embrace
your new skills,
and continue
broadening
your horizons.

Acceptance
is not
so much
letting go,
as owning up.

It is
identifying
what it is,
taking
responsibility
for it,
and deciding
if it is
of value
to you.

If it is
what you want,
own it,
live it,
love it,
be it.

If it is not,
acknowledge it,
accept it,
learn from it,
thank it,
let go of it.

Acceptance
is not
judging
an action,
it is
learning
from it.

Acceptance
is knowing
sometimes
things will not
be as planned,
and that is,
okay.

Treat everything
as an opportunity
to learn
and grow,
and your whole
approach
changes.

Living
acceptance
is living
in recognition
of the value
of life.

It is
a rewarding
series
of events
tailor-made
for you.

Acceptance
does not
compare,
it accepts.

Acceptance
does not
deny,
it accepts.

Acceptance
does not
prevent,
it allows.

Acceptance
is not
what can,
what was,
it is
what is.

Acceptance
is living
in the now,
being
in the now,
being you.

Acceptance
takes all
at face value.

If a person
treats you
poorly,
step away.

Living
with acceptance
ensures that
you always act
in your
best interests.

In doing so,
you empower
yourself,
and you empower
others.

For acting
in your
best interests,
is also acting
with respect,
integrity,
and dignity,
towards all.

How others act
is
their responsibility,
not yours,
accept it.

The first step
to
Enlightenment
is
Acceptance.

It releases you,
it simplifies you,
it empowers you,
it is you.

Today,
is
your first step
to
Enlightenment.

Today,
your life
is all about
Acceptance.

© Gary Dodd 2009