Life Optimized The Power Of Acceptance
The prayer of Serenity asks for ‘courage to change the things we can,” most of us spend our lives in a state of denial regarding what we can change.
We seem to refuse to accept the things we cannot change, (reliving them constantly) while abdicating the responsibility TO CHANGE the things we can.
WHAT DO I MEAN?
Early in my 9 to 5 career, while I was searching for a sense of direction I had my first taste of office politics. At this time I was not equipped to manage this and as a result I was eventually fired. No reason was ever given to me – other than this is not working out – and legally none was needed as I lived in a “right to work state.” Now to say I was depressed and confused would be an understatement – after all I had met ALL my goals and quotas even earning record bonuses – unheard of before (this it turns out what the problem – but I am getting ahead of myself.) so I knew I was not underperforming.
I eventually discovered the “real” story and it is the typical one of the mediocre 10 year veteran being rattled by the new kid and decided to make sure I did not get promoted over her. She did such a good job, that I was told to leave as I was seen as “anti-team.”
THE MORAL OF THE STORY….
I spent about a year replaying this injustice over and over – despite the fact I had found a better paying job with a substantial pay increase. My mind was filled with this toxic energy; I was on the hamster wheel.
Until I discovered the power of acceptance and realized how important it was in turning my life around. It is without a doubt the first step on the ladder up to emotional and financial greatness.
Do not confuse acceptance with inaction, I am not saying we accept wrongs and do nothing (in my case my legal options were non-existent, but I became determined to achieve GREATNESS.) What I am saying is to accept the unpredictable nature of this existence, that our most difficult moments are our best teachers.
Charlotte Joko Beck says it this way:
“…we have to face the pain we have been running from. In fact we need to learn to rest in it and its searing power to transform.”
We cannot transform our attitudes and consequently our relationships, career, financial futures – and in a larger sense our world until we stop wasting energy resisting what is. Only then is our unique GENIUS IS RELEASED.
So going back to my story, my firing was the first step to the wonderful life I have now. I would not have achieved financial success with out having my “cage rattled.”
TOOL KIT
• It is no coincidence that all the great religions teach about the power of acceptance/forgiveness – It is the first step to transformation.
• Nothing in your life will change, as it did with mine unless YOU see your problems as a source for growth and GREATNESS.
• Time and energy are wasted consistently reliving the injustice.
OpTimize your attitude and your life, career and finances will follow.
Joy Cassell is a Life and Business Coach and can be found at http://www.life-optimized.com
She has built two successful businesses and can show you how to do the same.
Tags: coaching, dealing with toxic anger., emotional, life