The Law of Acceptance — “Everything is as it should be.”
It’s not easy to embrace this law when your spouse just lied to you about your financial situation, cheated on you with your best friend, or is threatening you with divorce. Nor is it easy to embrace this law when your ex is threatening you with financial withdrawal or any other number of painful possibilities.
When your heart is broken and you are wanting so desperately to simply not be having the experience you are having, it is very difficult indeed.
There’s an old Sufi story about a farmer and his son. Have you heard it? The farmer heads out to feed his animals and his prized horse is dead. As soon as the village learned of this tragedy, they came to express their condolences. The farmer heard the same message throughout the day:
“What a terrible thing to have happen to you. This is the worst thing that could happen.”
The farmer repeated what became a mantra to the well wishers:
“Perhaps…. perhaps.”
The following week, while the farmer was working the land, his eldest son runs to tell him that he just captured a herd of wild horses. This time the villagers were excited for the farmer and came to congratulate him on his good fortune.
“You are so lucky! Look at the blessing that has been bestowed upon you. An entire herd of horses! You rock!”
Interestingly, the farmers reply was the same as before, “Perhaps… perhaps.” A few days later he sent his son to tame the wild horses. In the process the farmer’s son was thrown to the ground and his leg was broken.
You know the villagers were pretty tight back then, so they all heard of the tragedy. Once again the villagers came to check on the boy and to inform the farmer of what bad luck he was having. The farmer’s reply once again was, “Perhaps… perhaps”
The farmer’s son was still bedridden several weeks later when the emperor sent his messengers to round up all the boys who could fight in a local battle. Of course they passed the boy right on by when the messengers saw how injured he was.
A few weeks later, the neighbors, who lost their sons in the battle, again come by the farmer’s home and say, “You’re so lucky to have your son home with you.” And do you know what the farmer said? You’re right, “Perhaps… perhaps.”
Acceptance: It may be the last thing you want to do.
Usually, when we’re in the middle of a crisis, our first thought tends to be something like this:
- It shouldn’t be like this.
- Why does everything happen to me?
The Law of Acceptance teaches us that our lives are always evolving.
The Law of Acceptance invites us to remember that what may appear to be a tragedy, may be in reality the perfect event leading us to the fulfillment of our dreams. When you are living this law you will be in a trusting relationship with the Divine. You will know on an intuitive level that the changes that are taking place in your life is ultimately for your highest good. Yes, even when you are hurting. This is the first law you must embrace to heal your broken heart.
The first law in the Spiritual Divorce(tm) process.
As you embrace The Law of Acceptance, you will open yourself up to the other laws and to the life that you most desire.
RESOURCES: exercise, book, and a video.
Spiritual Divorce by Debbie Ford
Spiritual Divorce and The Right Questions are requirements for the 13-week Spiritual Divorce(tm) coaching process.
Byron Katie — Is it true?
In this powerful video, Byron Katie highlights a story about a woman who doesn’t even know what she wants. After asking a few important questions, she discovers that she doesn’t even want her husband back.
Can you imagine the freedom you can have from discovering what you really want?
So often we think we “should” feel a certain way, but do we really feel this way? Byron Katie helps us discern what is true–for us.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
This message really struck home with me. I have been divorced for many years, when my ex husband decided he needed a younger woman and moved me out and her in while I was away for the summer. I had never really looked at the reality of this until now. For a very long time I had hung on to an illusion, it was her fault and she would never really be his wife. I would always be his “real” wife no matter what. In reality I set the whole thing up, as much as it was my power to do and then let it happen. It was time for me to be gone, it was time for me to have another reality for myself , and yet, I would not, could not, let it go.
This week, for the first time I admitted I was no longer his wife. He has another wife and another life. Over the years I would drive by the house, just to check things out…..OMG I mourned over all of it for a very long time and the other day I drove there and realized I hated it there. It was cold, isolated, lonely and I have to say it was a real surprise to feel so different than I thought I ever would.
Before I was not ready, today I am. I am not sure without listening to
the above videos how much longer it would have taken, I guess in the scheme of things it does not matter. I am grateful for it all.