Practicing Radical Acceptance Generates Peace

Practicing radical acceptance has the potential to improve lives and create goodwill throughout society.

My own lack of practicing radical acceptance of the world has me slightly fueled by emotion as I write this blog post.

I’m not sure if the blog post will ever get published, but I really feel it necessary to write a few lines on some of the issues we are currently plagued with here in the United States.

The United States (like every other country on the planet) is afflicted with a pretty horrific history.

For all of the advancements we have made in economics, business, medicine, and countless other fields, we seem to have back peddled in other areas at the same time.

I do not follow politics, and I rarely watch the news.

It’s part of my “present moment” strategy for living life.

I find that the more I engage with politics and the media coverage of current events, the more I digress in my spiritual and emotional condition.

I realize that for some people, paying attention to politics and the news is a necessity, and there are many reasons that one would feel compelled to tune in.

Keeping up to date with things is important, and sometimes there is incredibly valuable information that is presented. There is no denying this.

But for me, the fear of the unknown has been removed by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Freedom from Fear

I no longer “have to know” everything that is going on in the world, because I no longer need to control the outcomes of every situation. I have learned how to practice radical acceptance.

“How on earth did I get to this point in my journey?” you might ask.

Well, it comes from a famous publication that I read repeatedly while participating in 12 step recovery for alcoholism.

Now, don’t let the fact that you aren’t an alcoholic deter you from exploring this VERY deep & life-changing concept.

The quote comes from page 417 in the main text of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s part of a story entitled, “Acceptance is the Answer.”

In this story, a doctor comes to terms with his own insanity, and begins to practice the program of spiritual principles outlined in this book as a means of solving his problems.

There are many great quotes from this story, but the one that stands out above all others is this paragraph.

But the part that is not quoted as often is the paragraph that immediately follows this one. This was a major spiritual moment in my life. It was the kind of moment where real hope and trust can be found.

Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”. He forgot to mention that I was the chief critic. I was always able to see every flaw in every person, every place, and every situation. And I was always glad to point it out. Because I knew you wanted perfection, just as I did. Acceptance has taught me that there is a bit of good in the worst of us and a bit of bad in the best of us; that we are all children of God and we each have a right be here. When I complain about me or about you, I am complaining about God’s handiwork. I am saying that I know better than God.

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition p. 417

Practicing Radical Acceptance Generates Peace and Freedom in your life.

Remember how I just asked you not to let the fact that you aren’t an alcoholic deter you from accepting the deep, life changing wisdom in these messages? I hope that you can also overlook the word “God” if that is an objection for you.

Remember that the criticism of situations is destructive to one’s spiritual or emotional condition.

I watch it happen over and over again on Facebook.

I am not saying that any of it is “wrong,” or that people are “bad” for doing so.

I’m merely pointing out that the emotional state of a human beings is deeply impacted when we spend our days deep in resentful judgement of others.

I had to change the way I think about people, places, and situations, in order to find peace in this world.

For today, I will take a dose of my own advice and let the world sleep without my criticism or judgements.

It’s simply not my place.

I spent so much time wishing that everything and everyone would be different, that I spent the majority of my life frustrated, angry, and depressed.

Today I have the capacity to “let go,” and just practice “radical acceptance”.

I encourage you to do more research on acceptance and really try to work this into your life.

It’s very liberating.

Don’t do it later. Don’t do it tomorrow.

Start doing it right now, even right this very minute. The better you get at it, the better you are going to feel.

When you feel better, you will start treating others and yourself better.

The better you start treating other people, they better they will start treating other people and themselves.

The ripples of practicing radical acceptance are extensive, and the change begins from within.

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