Acceptance is the answer to all my problems. . .

I am recommitting to this idea, paraphrased from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, because, frankly, I keep forgetting that my lack of acceptance is the root of my “dis-ease.”  I read a passage from a related spiritual book this morning that ever so gently reminded me that when I am judging, thus not embracing the soul standing before me, I am caught in the clutches of separation which is the hallmark of my disease.  Perhaps your disease too.  My emotional health and spiritual well being demand that I embrace our Oneness.  Embrace it within the only moment that exists: Now.

Life need not be as hard as we make it.  I have discovered that it’s not that hard, in fact, with the loved ones who simply pass through our lives, perhaps even daily. Where it gets hard is with those who don’t pass through but live in our lives, daily. My teachers, I call them.  And that’s why they are there.  I have been told that life is like a classroom.  We are students.  And teachers.  The curriculum is love.  And forgiveness. And acceptance. Of ourselves as well as others.

I have also been told that I chose these teachers.  That I “signed up” for these lessons.  I have chosen to believe in this possibility because it makes the experiences, particularly the ones that were traumatizing, more palatable.

Having the daily intention of expressing only love and forgiveness and acceptance is a good beginning, I think.  I know I need to make the intention, and hold to it.  Even after all these decades on this spiritual path I can get way off course.  And because I have been focusing too much on the future and on my work scheduled in the future, I have forgotten the only thing that really matters: this moment and love for the people who are sharing this moment with me.

Having to recommit to this intention every day isn’t a bad thing.  In fact, it keeps my dream for the better life fresh in my mind.  I am feeling lucky that my journey has introduced me to this option for the easier life.  It took tough times to get here but the pay-off is worth it.  It promises that my primary loved ones will receive the love and the acceptance they are so deserving of.  And those who were deserving of forgiveness have received that too.

There is a better way.  And we are traveling that better way.  Praise be to God.