Acceptance and Openings

Do Openings come in only one size, or can they be changed?

Acceptance

Acceptance implies favorability or recognizing that something is true – we approve of something, agree with something or agree to take something on. Self-acceptance involves approving of ourselves as we are. A belief system involves accepting that certain things are true. Acceptance of a negative situation involves seeing what really is, even though we may not agree with it.

Acceptance is sometimes portrayed as weakness or capitulation. That is not so in all cases. Acceptance can be a strength, either in affirming something we support or acknowledging a reality that we wish was not so. It can reflect wisdom regarding a situation that cannot be changed, at least in the present moment. It can be an honest recognition of what is beyond our control.

Acceptance is most powerful when we stand fully in the present moment and see the truth of something. It is from there we can move forward. Otherwise, we stand on a false foundation, skewing our course. That false foundation may initially comfort us but has no basis in reality.  Acceptance at its best is seeing the truth of something, no matter whether we agree with that truth.

Acceptance and Openings

When it comes to Openings, rigid acceptance of what they first appear to offer is not required. As we choose to enter, we can affect the Opening through our perspective, our desires and simply our presence. As we think of Openings we have experienced, we can picture someone we know entering the same Opening – it is bound to offer them a different experience because of who they are.

Acceptance is not passivity. It is an active state of being that often requires analysis and discrimination. It does not mean that we think the present situation will remain the same forever. Active acceptance, in the present moment, does not preclude trying to change what is. From an acknowledgement of what is, we are free to do whatever makes sense to us.

As we consider and enter Openings, acceptance assists us. We look at what an Opening offers us and make our choices. As we do, we are operating within the truth of an Opening. Even the negative aspects that present themselves. If we see the Opening fully, we can put our focus on navigating it and even changing what we want to change, making our journey through the Opening a truthful and powerful one.