Another election is behind us here in Canada. We may not all be happy with the results. But instead of waving a white flag in defeat this is a good time to move forward.

And moving forward begins with Acceptance.

Acceptance: assent to the reality of a situation; the non-judgmental appraisal of one’s own strengths and weaknesses, capabilities and imperfections, as well as those of others

Acceptance is the first of the principles in Sixteen Steps: a journey of self-discovery and healing. It is the first step in all twelve-step programs. Without Acceptance, the other fifteen principles in my book will have little meaning. Accepting that we have a problem, and that we need help, is essential. Without Acceptance, there is no way forward.

Through unconditional Acceptance we are choosing not to waste time and energy resisting what IS. Instead, we make a decision to transform our thoughts into accepting the conditions and circumstances of our daily lives. This Acceptance—this new way of thinking and acting—will eventually replace the learned habits of objecting, resisting and rejecting. In time, we will begin automatically to think: I accept myself, I accept others, and I accept the situation as it is.

We cannot change anything until we accept it.
Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.
–C.G. Jung

So wave your flag with pride and invite Acceptance into your life.

To learn more about Sixteen Steps: a  journey of self-discovery and healing visit our website: www. sixteensteps.com