Life is a series of events, some joyous and
some tragic. When we face the inevitable disappointments and heartbreaks that
accompany life-here-on-earth, we have several choices. We can deny our
heartbreak and pretend that nothing has happened; we can become embittered and
lock ourselves into memories of a broken past; we can give in to our fears, and
allow emotional paralysis to become the hallmark of our existence; or we can
accept the reality of our situation and begin moving forward as best we can.
Acceptance of a disheartening situation should never be confused with
"giving in." Far from it. In fact, it is only when we face the reality
of a difficult situation that we are truly free to begin changing it. So if your
heart has been broken by a tragedy, either great or small, grieve about it . . .
for a while. And then get about the business of reclaiming your life.
Sometimes, We Must Accept
Life on Its Terms Rather Than Our Own Terms
"Accept things as they are, not as you
wish them to be."
Napoleon
"It’s no good arguing with the inevitable."
James Russell Lowell
"Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands."
Seneca
"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite
hope."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
"In His will is our peace."
Dante
May We Accept the Unchangeable
While Changing the Unacceptable
"Acceptance says, True, this is my
situation at the moment. I’ll look unblinkingly at the reality of it. But I’ll
also open my hands to accept willingly whatever a loving Father sends me."
Catherine Marshall
"For what has been — thanks! For what shall be — yes!"
Dag Hammarskjöld
"If you can't change your fate, change your attitude."
Amy Tan
"Wisdom lies in taking everything with good humor and a grain of
salt."
George Santayana
The Serenity Prayer
"God, give us the serenity to accept what cannot be changed;
Give us courage to change what should be changed;
Give us the wisdom to distinguish one from the other."
Reinhold Niebuhr
Written and Compiled by Cris
Freeman, PsyD.
