Many people think that to make a change, you have to fight against something and *make it* different. I was reminded of this the other day when speaking with a client about her anxiety. She wanted it gone, and was unwilling to accept her anxiety. Instead, we talked about accepting her anxiety instead of resisting. We think if we accept a physical condition or an emotional trauma, it will mean there is no chance of change. In my experience, acceptance doesn’t mean giving up; actually only when there is acceptance can there be true change.
The phrase from Cheri Huber that resonates for me is “I love you exactly as you are, and I’ll help you be whatever you want to be.” Encapsulated in that phrase is the self-compassion and acceptance we all crave, *and* the opportunity to grow, change, and lead the life we aspire to lead.
Here’s a short video about acceptance (3:15) and how acceptance helps us change.
