You can accept things about yourself, situations, and relationships by committing to 3 simple steps.
In my latest presentation for the Women’s Relationship series titled Free to be Me, I am focusing on the relationship with yourself. As I have mentioned, life is about relationships, your relationship with God, yourself and others. In session #5 we are dealing with the relationship of “self”. Last week was “self-talk” and learning the influence that our words have in our lives and choosing to use positive self-talk instead of negative self-talk.
This week, we move to acceptance, which includes learning to accept things about ourselves, situations, and relationships. We often find it very difficult to view ourselves in what we perceive to be a negative light due to the impact of shame, guilt, or fear, but by committing to 3 critical steps we can overcome shame, fear or guilt and it begins with acceptance. Learn what the 3 steps to acceptance are.
3 Steps to Acceptance:
- Accept “it”.
- Choose a valued direction
- Take action
1. Whatever “it” is for you, decide that you want to feel differently about it. So stop judging “it”, stop avoiding “it”, take notice of “it” mindfully. “It” is what it is. On to the next step.
2. Choose a valued direction. Decide that you are going to deal with your issue and begin figuring out a plan to move beyond “it”. Move consciously with a sense of purpose. If you have been trying the same thing unsuccessfully, try something different, but do so thoughtfully.
3. Take action. Don’t plan so much that you become petrified by the prospect of what has to be done. You’ve accepted the issue, you’ve considered how you want to move beyond “it”, now do so. Don’t waste time, don’t procrastinate, take action.
In case you’re wondering these 3 steps are leveraged daily as foundational principles in therapy and psychology. We call those principles A.C.T., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Whatever you see as your “it”, whatever flaw, shortcoming or weakness the 3 steps of acceptance will help you move forward and beyond.
I have included the slides that accompanied my presentation, take a look and leave your comments.
With gratitude,
Dr. S.O.S.