Accept more, expect less!

 What is the one attitude that could help us cope with life and what it throws at us, with more resilience? Courage? Humor? Astuteness? I would say 'Acceptance'. 

It has been uncanny how in the last few days, I have bumped into some friends and our conversations have hovered around how whatever happens to us in life is truly out of our control. A few years ago, before I was struck by the mid-life crisis, I truly believed that we were the ones behind the 'wheel' of life, and had the power to steer it in the direction we wished life to take. However, as the small lines of silver started to sprout on my head, I realized that there was truly a lot of peace in letting go of that feeling of control, and  in accepting that a lot of life is about what happens to you without you planning for it.

Mind you, the attitude of acceptance does not absolve me of my daily responsibilities or duties. It does not give me an excuse to not do my job well, not attend to my needy children or tend to my ageing parents. However, it does make me realize that no matter how hard I try, there will be some unresolved issues, some unexplainable stories and some things that happen for no apparent reasons. 

I know that this cannot be an easy attitude to master. However, I plan to make an earnest attempt my starting with accepting 'people'. Accepting them for their personalities - their ways of doing things,  their belief systems, their ways of expression, their sensitivities. All of which may be completely contrary to my style. By accepting people, I judge less. I show more mindfulness. I embrace. I'm kinder - to others, and in the process, kinder to myself.