Moving Toward Acceptance

Two poems inspired by my word for the year

Moving Toward Acceptance

Acceptance (noun), Accept (verb)
The act of accepting something or someone¹
To consider something or someone as satisfactory²

As in 
pause and acknowledge all that makes you 
who you are.
 
As in 
sit with the reality of being unfinished, 
in the middle of, and otherwise in-process.

As in 
receive grace for your limitations
and the parts of yourself you want to change.
 
As in 
sever your ifs from your whats and release 
any angst, regret, and resentment.
 
As in 
loosen your grip on your daily plans and expectations, especially surrounding the people you love.
 
As in 
dwell in the fullness of your right-now life, 
and consider what is meant for you, today.
 
As in
allow your heart to trust that God will continue to lead you even as you question the where.

Today's Resolution

Can you acknowledge
what is already
good,

sever your ifs
from your whats,
and experience the freedom 

in one moment
of saying, yes
to your right-now life?

I adopted the habit of choosing a word for the year a few years ago now. Something about focusing on one word/theme feels more meaningful to me than a long list of goals. Last year, my word was trust. This year, the word I need is acceptance. I wrote the above poems for myself because each describes what I often struggle to do. Maybe you understand how I feel? If so, these poems are for you, too. 

Here’s to moving toward acceptance.

Ashley

Photo credit: James Case

1. Britannica

2. Cambridge