Acceptance, the hidden key to healing.

Amy was sick, it seemed she was constantly “under the weather”, either fighting a flu or cold, dealing with a stomach bug, or taking pills for another headache, she felt unhappy and stressed most of the time. She just didn't seem able to overcome the disturbing symptoms that kept occurring in her body. But she kept battling on with her normal routine, hoping it would all go away. After numerous visits to her health professional and hours spent online looking for a fix-it-all cure, she still felt hopelessly stuck. Acceptance is the missing key that could open the door to Amy's healing. Acceptance of what is, on all levels, inner and outer, physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual. Many people facing difficulties fear accepting what is. They are afraid this will cause them to be stuck in their pain, unable to heal and move forward. Naturally that is not something anyone would want for themselves. The way most people deal with pain, whether its physical sickness, emotional, financial or relationship pain, is to try to override it, avoid it, or make it go away. This causes a state of holding on and tension. Tension causes more pain. In fact deep acceptance of what is, acknowledging your deepest truth frees up vital energy in your body and whole being. There is an inner letting go that occurs with deep acceptance. This is a powerful and commonly overlooked key to healing! There may still remain physical, emotional or psychological pain, but the door is now open to change. Of course you may still need to seek help in whatever way is right for you. Balance and healing cannot enter when you are very contracted and holding on. There needs to be some softening at the edges for a healing shift to begin. Take a moment to consider what acceptance might feel like within yourself. If you are willing squeeze the muscles of your body very tight, hold your breath and contract your physical body. Now let it all go, let your breath out relax your muscles and let your whole body go loose. Notice the difference between these two physical states. If someone tried to change the position of one of your limbs when you body was tight and contracted, as above, they would have to use a lot of force and effort. However if this person attempted to move one of your limbs when you were relaxed and open, the effort required would be much less. What has this got to do with acceptance? If you are holding tight or contracting, either physically or energetically, it will be extremely difficult to engage a state of acceptance at the same time. Acceptance is about letting go and opening, emotionally, mentally, physically. Acceptance includes a state of letting go and letting in. It is from this position that you are more easily able to open to change and healing. As in the example above of the physical body, change and healing happen far more easily when there is openness and ease. Given the right conditions your whole being naturally flows towards balance and wellness. I know its not easy to engage acceptance especially when you are faced with something that is painful, for example anxiety or physical pain. But I am suggesting that acceptance is an often overlooked first step to change and healing. Acceptance doesn't keep you stuck in your current difficulties, it enables you to face your truth and open to the healing power of your own being.