Acceptance – the action of consenting to receive or undertake something offered.

Understanding – comprehension.

I’ve always struggled with “accepting” things. More importantly, I really struggle moving forward from things I don’t accept. Or is it can’t accept? Or won’t accept? I feel compelled to understand the why. I get stuck. And I want to be unstuck. But how? Google made me realize that I am not alone in this quest and helped me find some insightful perspectives from two blogs. Joe Peacock’s blog shares the following tidbit:

“You do not need to understand something to accept it… Acceptance and understanding are two different things, and while understanding doesn’t necessarily beget acceptance, acceptance absolutely makes understanding easier.”

I could not agree more, Joe. But how can I accept something first? How can I get unstuck?

In Joy Henderson’s blog, she shares about autism, and parents of children with autism. Context matters. Here are some key points from Joy:

Acceptance requires actual work and determination. Acceptance comes from a place of understanding... Acceptance with understanding seeks to meet people where they are… acceptance is a constant process.

Ok, so acceptance is work. Makes sense why I continue to struggle with this. And acceptance is an organic process? There is no “end” to acceptance? Wowza.

I have lived a privileged life. Needing to understand things before accepting them is connected to this reality. I live in a space where I can expect understanding prior to acceptance. Many don’t have that luxury.

So now what?

To Instagram I turned and found this from @businessgrowthmentor:

Accept uncertainty. Accept the uncontrollable. Peace is found in acceptance.

I’ve got work to do… Don’t we all?

Full blogs by Joe Peacock & Joy Henderson here:

Understanding vs. Acceptance

https://bpiaba.com/resources/moving-from-awareness-to-acceptance-to-understanding/