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The other day I wrote a post where I asked a question, “Can you fully accept what you are powerless to change?” It’s a difficult question because it is a living question. You have to decide again, again and yet again. It would be great if you could just decide once and then ‘boom…’ it happens.
Unfortunately life is continually in process. And process feels a lot like “What?? This again!!!” (I was thinking of other choice words, but hey, this blog is mostly family friendly.) Process depends on you and I having a good grasp of what drives us, our most valued life.
One of the directions of my life in 2018 is to build my acceptance muscle. So here it goes, 10 things I accept about last year.
10 Things I accept about 2017
10.Donald Trump. I’m not American, so my vote doesn’t count. Some people like him, some don’t. I don’t, but I accept that I cannot change who is in the White House.
9.My depression still lurks in the corners of my mind, even though I am well into my recovery. What I find difficult is that anxiety seems to have replaced it.
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I officially have enough pop music in my playlist that I finally have to own up to it.
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8.Willingness. It’s powerful. You don’t have to like or even want your situation or whatever you feel or think. But you can still be willing.
7.My mental health is evolving. It’s not the same as it was when I was 20 or 30. My body ages, so does my well being. Shouldn’t be a surprise… but I guess I assumed that depression would always be my main mental health ‘squeeze.’
6.Taking risks make you feel more alive and they will expand your life. They will bring out your best, but what the motivational books don’t tell you is that they can also bring out your worst. Even though we are trying to grow, we can go back to old ways of dealing with stress.
5.Teenagers are a reflection of their parent’s best… and worst selves. No, it’s not all your fault as a parent… but kids make me look hard in the mirror.
4.Accepting that you will continue to have difficult emotions, circumstances, thoughts and self judgments can change you. Few of us grow up dreaming of accepting what happens to us. We dream of being a star, a difference maker, a great… (parent, friend, partner, author, musician, builder, leader, business owner). Who dreams of accepting what they cannot change? It can take a long time to come to terms with what we cannot change and even longer to accept it. Acceptance isn’t giving it, it is saving your energy for what you can truly change.
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Few of us grow up dreaming of accepting what happens to us. We dream of being a star, a difference maker, a great… (parent, friend, partner, author, musician, builder, leader, business owner). Who dreams of accepting what they cannot change?
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3.Star Wars: The Last Jedi is awesome. But really… Luke is gone? I’m in serious grief right now, don’t bother me for the rest of the day.
2.I officially have enough pop music in my playlist that I finally have to own up to it. Never thought I’d like it. Turns out I do. Not all of it, mind you. My teenagers have gotten me into Halsey, the Chainsmokers, Alessia Cara, Taylor Swift and yes… okay here it is… I even have a Selena Gomez on my phone (Wolves… it’s pretty good!). I found Pink! on my own. She’s awesome. And I downloaded some of Janet Jackson’s old stuff. (Mind is blown.) Your kids can change your life and expose you to things you never dreamed of. They can open you up to a new world. One of the best joys of parenting.
1.It’s over. 2017 is done.
So what’s on your acceptance list? Drop me a line in the comments, I’d love to hear what you have to say about the joys, journey’s and the juggernaut of acceptance.
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Four Questions that will Set Your (Recovery) Direction for 2018
4 Habits that will Make Your Every Day Experience More Valuable than College
Being Inflexible is the Most Unhealthy Response to Your Situation
This is where I am supposed to write some serious stuff about myself. But in reality, I just hope that you enjoy what I write. I hope it makes you smile, makes you feel a little lighter and enjoy your life a little more. Nope, it’s not therapy, but I am sharing the good stuff… the stuff that helps me.
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Keep it Real
Photo by Harri Li and Fred Mancosu
Getting High on Recovery 