Accept and Achieve

Most of what is written about the spiritual path is about acceptance--whether it is acceptance of our circumstance, or of the parts of ourselves (the shadow) that we do not like to think about. There is great value in this view. When we accept (and stop resisting), we can see things for what they are, rather than what we would like them to be. We stop thinking that things should be different than they are. The level of frustration that we feel goes down.

But there is another side to this. Sometimes, when accept, we also free up energy to do other things. We might stop thinking as much about what others might think, or the bad things that might happen if we pursue a certain course.

Instead, we might find ourselves trying things that we would not have tried before. This could mean going after a promotion in our company, volunteering for a special project, or just voicing our opinion in a way that we have not before.

This kind of courage can be part of the spiritual path, too. In fact, courage can be the spiritual path itself.

To do something new without knowing why might be the most spiritual of all acts. By doing so, we show faith in life itself. Faith in the glorious not knowing of simple action.

Jeff