I wasn’t sure I wanted to ACCEPT my One Word for 2018,
I’ve never needed to be in recovery, but the Serenity Prayer has always resonated with me:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference
I’ve always felt like the key here is the third line, but in pondering my One Word I was drawn to the first.
How is “accept” compatible with #Resist? So much of what’s happening around us today is unacceptable.
I think it’s about discerning what is appropriate to accept. It’s thoughtfully recognizing what can’t be changed–like it or not–and what needs to change.
I’m working on what I’d call “active acceptance.” For me, that means taking things as they come, but not passively. Most of what I can change is in how I respond to what I accept. I’m trying to figure out how that looks, but here’s what I think it includes:
- Saying “yes” to opportunity
- Changing “yes” to “no” when I realize it may not have been the right answer after all
- Choosing my battles (and when it’s right not to have them)
- Being OK with being myself and with others being who they are
Accept is a great word and I like the way you are thinking about it. I agree we cannot blindly accept the things that are happening in this country as they are, but there are certainly some things we cannot do anything about.
I think what made it work for me is acknowledging that “acceptance” isn’t a synonym for “resignation.” Context and choice are involved.
This is a fantastic word. I like that it is both passive and active and that deciding between the two requires thought and awareness. There is so much to this one little word!
That’s what appealed to me about it too!
I haven’t chosen a one word. I’m not sure what that would be.
I’ve done it for four or five years now. I’ve never thought much of traditional New Year’s Resolutions but I do like the idea of a one-word “theme” for your year, and choosing it is always an interesting exercise.
I haven’t chosen a One Word this year and I’m not sure that I’m going to either, but I like yours. I’ll accept it. Ha.
Good, now I feel like it’s official :-).