Attitude of Acceptance

This week's Weekly minute is the second in the "9 Attitudes of Mindfulness" series, and it explores the Attitude of Acceptance.
No person's life runs completely smoothly, we all face trials and difficulties, no matter who we are. When we fight against, or resist our challenges, we waste energy, and inadvertently increase the pain of them. Imagine this equation: Suffering = Pain x Resistance
When we can accept things as they are, we come out of 'struggle', and into a more relaxed state, which allows for creativity and wisdom, so we can choose a better way forward. It's like the old movies when the hero was stuck in quicksand, and it was only when they stopped struggling, and relaxed the body, that they could stay on top long enough to be rescued!
Practicing Acceptance:
• For the next minute (or more if you have time), bring your attention to the body, working from the head down to the feet, noticing any sensations that are present.
• If you encounter an unpleasant sensation like an itch, or a cramp, or pins and needles, see if you can stay with it, and be curious about it.
• Does it come and go or is it constant? Does it have heat or cool? Is it sharp or dull?
• Notice how it changes.
• Try to  just be with the sensation, accepting that nothing lasts forever, and neither will this.
• Breathe into the discomfort.
• Return to your day, with the intention to bring this attitude of acceptance to challenges you may meet throughout your day.

---

"This attitude sets the stage for acting appropriately in your life, no matter what is happening. You are much more likely to know what to do and have the inner conviction to act when you have a clear picture of what is actually happening versus when your vision is clouded by your mind's self-serving judgments and desires or its fears and prejudices." - Jon Kabat-Zinn

---