Acceptance and the Unacceptable

Accepting the way things are can be hard.  Many of us are prone to fighting what is.  We want to change things that we don’t like, or upset us, or push our buttons.  We want to change things that aren’t in our control.  That only leads to one outcome…. FRUSTRATION.

Why do we do this to ourselves?  Those are the things that we should just accept for what they are and move on.

Yet at the same time, there are things in our world that we do not need to accept. We should stand up,  voice our concern, our anger, our dissatisfaction. These are the things that we can and should change. Acceptance, in these instances, leads to perpetuation of injustice, inequity and UNacceptable conditions.

The challenge for us is to know the difference between finding acceptance for that which we cannot change and taking action to change what we cannot accept.

What are you willing to accept as unchangeable in this coming year?

What injustice, inequity or unacceptable situation are you going to work to change?

The Jewish month of Elul, which precedes the High Holy Days, is traditionally a time of renewal and reflection. It offers a chance for spiritual preparation for the Days of Awe. It is traditional to begin one’s preparation for the High Holy Days during this month with the Selichot, the prayers of forgiveness. We look to begin the year with a clean slate, starting anew, refreshed. All month, along with others, I’ll be blogging a thought or two for each day to help with the month of preparation… #blogElul