Hey folks, this week I would like to share with you the book called Radical Acceptance written by Tara Brach.
I know I have written about this book in the past, but I just finished rereading it. I was feeling a bit down and needed a pick me up. Today I still feel a bit crappy, but at least I can now reflect on the book and accept what is happening at the moment Continue reading “Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach – Book Review for Monday Motivation”
I know…I’m slow!
On May 20th, I was nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award! I was sitting around, minding my own business when I happen to make my way over to my twitter account. Where, ALAS, I found out dramatically that Continue reading “The Sunshine Blogger Award”
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. Francis of Assi
While looking for a topic on motivation for My Motivational Monday post, I came across a blog post that talks about why you shouldn’t wait for motivation. Continue reading “Why Motivational Quotes are Actually Call to Action Quotes”
Have you ever had a conversation with somebody or had a thought in your head that started out with, “Great! It had to rain again, now my day is ruined.”? How about, “If only I had people in my life that stopped putting themselves first, then I ‘wouldn’t have to be second all the time!”?
If so, then reasonably this would be an excellent post for you to read to the end.
In the book called, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey explains his concept of the Circle of Concern and the Circle of Influence. Continue reading “Motivational Monday – The Power of the Two Circles”
“There is something wonderfully bold and liberating about saying yes to our entire imperfect and messy life.”
That statement was made by Tara Brach, in her book called Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha.
So, what does that mean?
For myself, it means to accept yourself and your life exactly the way it is.
Let me try to explain this.
You might be saying, but my life sucks because of (Fill in the blank). How about, it’s unfair that so and so has (fill in the blank). Or maybe you are saying something like, I wish I had hair like a model or the smile of Angelina Jolie, but that won’t happen because my teeth are crooked!
Life is full of should and shouldn’t. From my example, you should have “X” because they have “Y,” I should have great hair because that is what makes you beautiful, and I shouldn’t smile because I have space between my teeth and that makes me ugly.
But, who made those rules? Was it some wise person in some far away land who said, “Everyone should have a fancy car, a big house, long flowing hair like Fabio, and a smile like Tom Cruz.”?
Sorry to break it to you, that’s not where it came from. There wasn’t a wise old mystic sitting on the hilltop, drinking tea, on a big fluffy pillow telling everyone how the world should be! It’s actually a learned mentality where people believe that bigger is better. More is better. It’s all about quantity over quality. This isn’t from a mystic, it’s from people learning from the media and everyday society. Do you remember the lesson Ricky Bobby learned in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby? “If you ain’t’ first, you’re last!” Great advice, right? No, wrong.
Sadly, that is precisely what a lot of people believe.
What does that do for a person? I tell you what. It causes suffering, jealousy, and greed, to name a few. All because people want more. All those feeling make a person feel pretty crappy, don’t they?
So, how about this? What if you said, I accept what I have, I agree the way I am, and stop comparing myself to others? Well, for one, you won’t care that you have that old rusty crappy car. After all, it still gets you from point A to point B! What if you accept that you are balding because that’s the genes that you were dealt in life. It’s not a big deal, less hair, equals less shampoo, right?
You see folks, why compare yourself to others when you are not the others. Say yes to the life you have. This acceptance will diminish the suffering you have, wipe out the jealousy you feel, and eliminate the greed of wanting more.
I know I’m writing like it’s an easy thing to accomplish, but I, for one, understand that it’s not. It takes practice and reminding yourself until it becomes automatic. If you want to read a helpful book on the subject, check out the book Radical Acceptance yourself! The people who want to accept it will learn a lot, the people who don’t want to change, well, they will do the usual and complain.
