When the mind does not have all the answers about something or someone it fills in the gaps.
It doesn’t fill the gaps in with positive stuff, it fills it in with the worst-case.
We then act on those made-up stories towards others and react based on that fiction.
Then the reaction we get back from others only provides the mind with more fuel for these stories will tell ourselves about the world and other people.
Instead of filling in the blanks, we can ask and become curious, we can go and seek to understand other people. We can choose to listen first and to listen without evaluation so that we actually truly see people as they are and not as we believe them to be.
Don’t filling the blanks, instead listen, be curious and find out the true story.
Accepting what is, is different from outwardly accepting everything passively that has occurred.
What has already occurred in the world, in life, at this exact moment can not be altered, as soon as it happens it instantly becomes the past, it is gone, unalterable. Therefore, for peace within and to not suffer from others’ actions, and for the sake of our mental and physical state, it is best to always accept it as it is, futile to do anything else.
However, that does not mean that we have to choose to be completely passive about everything that has occurred, equally, we do not have to be combative and aggressive either. When we accept all within, it allows us to act from a place of peace and calm within and without becoming the reaction that our mind and ego would want. Therefore, when we do act, it is more likely to be received without others needing to react aggressively. When we are calm, yet true to ourselves, others will be calm and more ready to hear us and understand us.
For example, I accept that there are people who choose to be cruel to animals, however, I am not going to be outwardly passive if witnessed someone being cruel to an animal, I would act to prevent it as it goes against my values.
There is a big difference between accepting what is and how we choose to act. Accepting what is, is essential to be able to act from a place of inner calm and take out our agendas and ego. However, if there are things that go against our truth, against our values, or threaten us or the people we love, then we can act and protect what matters to us.
Acceptance within is not about being uncaring or passive, it is about not suffering within from other peoples’ actions and choices. We can accept, however, we do not have to agree or be silent. We can choose how we act always, and sometimes there are situations where we choose to not act, this is fine too. However, we should never be fearful of saying our truths and acting according to our hearts and values.
Philip Dodson 