Focus Point of the Week: Acceptance

How often does your “apple cart” get upset?  Are your coworkers driving you crazy?  Are family members not behaving as you would like them to?  Are you frustrated that you can’t lose those extra ten pounds?

If you said “yes” to any of these, you are probably feeling a little unsettled.  If only everyone would do as you expect, life would (seemingly) be a breeze.  But let’s face it…it isn’t going to happen.  If we are content and at peace only when getting what we want, we will be discontent most of the time.

Having peace and serenity in our lives means practicing acceptance.  Living life to the best of our ability…and allowing others to do the same…is key.

Some suggestions to keep in mind:

• Create goals and expectations for yourself, not others.  Don’t expect others to live up to your standards…accept who they are. Unfulfilled expectations lead to resentment.
• Don’t try to control others. No matter how good your intentions or how right you think you are, accept that others must choose their own path.
• Accept that your best is good enough. Do your best with all endeavors, then accept the outcome unconditionally. Your best must be good enough. After all, it is all you have to give.

Acceptance plays a big role in being successful and feeling good about your fitness program. Accept the consequences, both positive and negative, of your commitment to exercise. For example, don’t set a goal of losing weight when you are only willing to exercise two times per week. It isn’t going to happen. Instead, accept that exercising twice per week is all you can do now and that impacting your health and feeling better is the goal. We too often see people fail to accept their current circumstances and then become disenchanted with exercising altogether.

This week, try practicing acceptance in all your affairs. When dealing with challenges, define your responsibility, do what is necessary and let go of the outcome.

 

Copyright 2011 Fitness Consultants Inc. All rights reserved.