Acceptance. A very basic, yet highly misunderstood, word that tells us that we should take a look around and not try to change or protest our current life. The reason I believe that this word is misunderstood, is that many people believe that acceptance means that you must learn to be happy with and settle with whatever life throws your way. That you must just “accept” the fact that you won’t ever get to do this or be that. That life is just the way it is and that’s that – so you better be happy. I think that’s crap.

Many of us try to find happiness in other people, places and things. When those things cease to bring us happiness, we tend to get angry, upset or sad. We then begin to blame all those people or things as the reason that we are no longer happy – as if it was their responsibility to make us happy in the first place. The problem isn’t in the other people, places, or thing/toys; it’s in you. Only you can make you happy. Only you can change yourself. You cannot change other people, only they can. It’s in this misconception that we can change others that many of our frustrations arise because they just simply won’t change.

This is where, I believe, that acceptance should take place. What I believe the real meaning of acceptance is. It’s not about just settling into a life that you don’t want; but, rather, stop expecting other people and stuff (cars, toys, and vacations) to bring you joy and happiness. When you can look around you, see that you just aren’t going to agree with that person and see whether or not you can fit in with that current way of life; then be happy whether or not you do. This is what I believe acceptance is. If you don’t like the way your life currently looks, then make changes. Accept that your life is the way it is, currently, but that you, and only you, have the power to change it.

The practice of yoga is a great form of exercise that helps you to begin to understand yourself. It shows you exactly what your body is physically capable of and what your current limitations are. It then allows you to dig deep within yourself and begin to change those limitations. Yoga shows you, through your physical body, just what you really are capable of achieving.

Try the following basic Sun Salutation to get you going:

 Tadasana (Mountain Pose), Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute), Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), Lunge, Plank Pose, Chaturanga Dandasana (Four-Limbed Staff Pose), Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog Pose), and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose).

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