As I am writing this, I am supposed to be in Casablanca. Instead of arriving on Tuesday and having 3 days to tour, I now have only one day before heading to Marrakesh. The delay was completely out of my control. At first, our flight was delayed, which would have caused a missed connection, but it was canceled altogether. Frustrating, but Mother Nature decided to send rain, high winds, and a threat of thunderstorms and tornadoes to the Northeast—all things out of my control. My only option (not a choice) was postponed until Wednesday since Air Canada only flies to Casablanca every other day.
This experience reminded me of the first line of the Serenity Prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.” Let’s be honest, I muttered it incessantly while waiting in the airport! It’s such a simple, incredibly powerful idea. We all deal with setbacks, and I’d venture to say that we all become frustrated, stressed, and possibly even angry, which serves no purpose when something is out of our control. What if, instead, we focused on acceptance?
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up or being passive. It’s about recognizing there are some things that are truly out of our control and making peace with that. I couldn’t control the weather or the flight schedules, but I could control how I reacted to the situation. Instead of getting upset, I chose to accept it and make the best of my delay at home. I even got to write this blog 😊!!
One way to practice acceptance is through mindfulness. This means being present in the moment, fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, and simply noticing what is around you without impacting you. For example, that crying baby on the plane that you noticed….is just a crying baby. You can notice it and wonder why the baby is crying, but reacting to it impacts you- It doesn’t change the situation. When you’re mindful, you can better understand what you can change and what you can’t. This awareness is the first step towards finding serenity.
Acceptance also plays a big role in our relationships. We can’t control other people’s actions or thoughts, but we can control how we respond to them. By accepting that we can’t change others, we can handle conflicts and misunderstandings with more empathy and patience. This doesn’t mean we tolerate harmful behavior, but it helps us focus on what we can do to improve the situation. At work, acceptance can make a huge difference. Whether dealing with difficult colleagues, navigating organizational changes, or facing setbacks, understanding what we can and can’t control helps us stay calm and resilient. By focusing on our own actions, we can create a more positive and productive work environment.
Embracing the idea of acceptance can bring a sense of peace and fulfillment to our everyday lives. By being mindful, practicing self-compassion, and approaching situations with empathy, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater ease. As we go through our days, let’s remember to seek serenity in acceptance and find strength in the things we can change.
“For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
How do you handle situations that are out of your control? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! If you found this blog helpful, consider sharing it with a friend who might need a reminder to embrace acceptance.
Since I will be in Morocco next week on vacation, there may or may not be a FFfT!! It’s out of your control…I hope you can accept that! 😊
Have a great weekend.
-Vijay