Emotional Inf lexibility 129
Acceptance involves a present- centered awareness in
which thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and bodily sensations
are accepted as they are and without resistance. In essence,
acceptance necessitates that you recognize that life, and its
consequences, can’t always be controlled. Responding to
your emotions with acceptance doesn’t imply that you
condone your circumstances, but it does allow you to stop
fighting reality. In so doing, you are less likely to resist or
avoid your emotional experiences, no matter how painful,
thereby reducing your personal suffering.
If you have ever found yourself remarking that some-
thing is unfair or that something shouldn’t be a certain way,
it’s a sign that you haven’t accepted your circumstances or
the reality of life. Acceptance can be an incredibly powerful
tool, especially during moments of anxiety. For example, if
you or a loved one were to receive unfavorable news, you
might initially be inclined to refuse to accept the truth. Yet
to do so would only add suffering to your pain. Conversely,
if you were to accept the news, you would be more capable of
confronting your emotions and viewing them as a f leeting
experience rather than something that defines you.
Practice Identif y something that you are currently having a
hard time accepting. Perhaps you have been resisting or fighting
some emotional or physical pain, or you have a lot of regret about
a past relationship or behavior. No matter what the problem, con-
sider actively practicing acceptance in order to reduce your suffer-
ing. Write down the problem you are having trouble accepting , and
record the following:
- Thoughts and emotions you experience when you
think about the troubling problem or situation