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| Image Credit - Gini Grey |
“Self-acceptance is a way of viewing oneself compassionately, without condemnation or justification. It is a starting point in life which makes other things possible. It celebrates the fullness of joy of being alive and of being who we are: accepting ourselves, however, does not mean embracing our neuroses or bad habits and celebrating them as if they were virtues. On the contrary, self-acceptance involves loving ourselves enough to accept painful truths about ourselves. . . . Self-acceptance is, at its simplest, the experience of one's self, here and now, as a complete human being, with all the glories and problems that condition entails.”
~ Don Richard Riso
This morning I have a bit of a different take on acceptance. Yesterday, I had shoulder surgery on my dominant side. While the surgery went well, and my recovery time has been shortened significantly....I am without the use of my dominant hand for the immediate future. In the span of a two-hour surgery, I went from two functional arms to one... I can't dress myself, getting around (like stairs) is a lot more uncomfortable. Yesterday, I was largely unwilling to accept this new reality. I was so convinced that I could do everything I could before, that I tried to maintain my normal schedule. This was a mistake! Sometimes the act of Cheerful Acceptance is merely accepting your situation and learning to modify. I have watched Steph have to modify through her recovery, but I never transferred that to my situation. Today will definitely be a different day.
Now on to my quote for the day. This quote jumped off the screen at me. It perfectly describes the Cheerful Acceptance process. Acceptance is acknowledgement without judgement. Acceptance is not taking our weaknesses and painting a pretty face on them. It is the process of acknowledging them and using them to define our character that is most important. Our strengths and weaknesses can change each day. Cheerful Acceptance is being able to recognize them in the present. This morning, I had to Cheerfully Accept that I was not able to do everything for myself. I started the morning trying to do everything for myself and it was very stressful (not to mention painful). After a few minutes, I was able to connect with Cheerful Acceptance and allow myself to be vulnerable and ask for help from Steph. It was not easy, but it was worth it. Accepting my weakness allowed me to be in less pain and it helped strengthen the bond between Steph and I. This only goes to show that there is GREAT power in Cheerful Acceptance.
What does it mean for you experience yourself as a complete human being today? What are today's strengths and weaknesses? How can you use this Cheerful Acceptance to power your day? Have a GREAT day!
I hate leaning on other people. Especially when it isn't my immediate family. I had to ask for help from a neighbor to get Ellone on the bus this morning so that I could go with Doug to his first physical therapy session. It was easier than I thought dropping her off, because I KNEW in my mind that I would absolutely "pay it back (or forward)" the next time or any time a parent needed help in the same respect. I didn't stress about it like I usually do.
ReplyDeleteModify is my mantra now. I have to modify most things...especially now that I'm taking care of Doug...my brain just doesn't work the same anymore. I know that if I over-do and tax my brain, I will physically hurt all over. I do have an update - I drove Doug to and from his surgery yesterday and to PT this morning. It was scary, uncomfortable and I didn't enjoy it at all, but I did it. It is probably a good thing to get back to it, but it does wear me out. It is AMAZING how much brain energy you use to drive!! Took a nap and rested the rest of the day....modify.