Radical Acceptance

Sometimes it's difficult to accept your situation in life. You might wish for a different job or spouse, or more money and tell yourself that you won't be happy until these things appear. However, therapists are touting the benefits of a technique that will help you find joy and meaning, no matter what your life situation. Based on Buddhist principles, radical acceptance can help individuals accept their current life situation at a deep level.

Radical acceptance has also been called mindfulness or dialectical based therapy. But you don't necessarily need a therapist to help you start practicing radical acceptance in your life today. The following suggestions can hep you to start your journey to radical acceptance:

1. Love and be gentle with yourself. Real love starts from within.
2. Praise yourself and stop criticizing everything you do. Try writing things down that make you feel proud and revisit the list when you feel down.
3. Accept yourself. Don't listen to the voice inside your head telling you that you aren't good enough. Practice self-acceptance and less judgement.
4. Find ways to support yourself by reaching out to friends or family members.
5. Take care of your body through exercise and good nutrition. Appreciate everything your body does each day.
6. Forgive yourself. Have compassion for yourself, apologize for actual wrongs, and then let it go.
7. Lend a helping hand to others. Helping others will make you feel better about yourself and give you a sense of purpose.

Radical acceptance is not about just giving up. You are still allowed to want something better for your life in the future and to have your feelings about not having what you want now. In general, radical acceptance is about committing to change.