dailydatewithgod

One of the first things I heard in the rooms of recovery that I entered over 16 years ago is: “Acceptance is the answer.”  It reminded me of a poem I read many years before by Virginia Satir entitled “I AM ME” .  The poem speaks about the concept of self-acceptance.  I was struck by it as a young person but did not really take in or believe it.  In my experience it begins by validating what we are experiencing before we do anything else.  I am so used to judging what I am thinking, feeling, and doing  I will bypass the opportunity to just call it out for what it is.  There is great power in validating one’s experience.  Another expression I learned along the way was, “Name it, claim it, dump it.”  If I cannot even validate by naming what is happening, how can I take responsibility for it and let it go? Moving forward in life requires us to name where we are first.  When I have my date time with God it begins with just being with what is. God is not judging it. I might be but my heart has softened over the years.  At least when I jump to judgment I can pause and take a step back instead of running with it. Our breath provides the moment to simply notice and validate the reality.  God does not see us as victims of life.  If we want to see ourselves that way and ultimately live our lives, a major step comes from validating what is.  There is plenty of time for judgment and action.  We must begin with being with it.