i appreciate more of the beautiful weather

Jack Kornfield wrote in A Path With Heart: “This life is a test - It is only a test. Appreciate people and things for what they are. Life is an experience from which you learn and grow. When you stop judging events or people, you can learn from them. Oscar Wilde said: “Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.” Real opportunities exist in real life, not in the life you expect to happen. You move from clinging to your expectations to discover new possibilities. Once you stop resisting, you can understand what’s going on. You can’t change reality, so it’s your attitude that has to change. More than anything, acceptance is transformation. But getting mad when it’s snowing won’t change the weather. I still love warmer days when I can go biking outside. If it’s snowing, I focus on how beautiful the white scenery looks. To stop resisting the moment and enjoy it instead. I have to force myself to pause and reflect. In the morning, I can’t stand but think: “it’s cold (again).” The winter never seems to end. I’ve lived in Chicago for over five years now.

The highest form of gratitude is to accept reality as it is.

It’s a pause that connects you with your emotions - frustration, anger, suffering, etc. - and being willing to simply feel that. Tara Brach defined acceptance as “recognizing the truth of this moment without resistance. It doesn’t mean stop loving a sunny day simply to embrace the rain too. There’s a common misconception around the idea of “Acceptance” - learning to love the weather you get is not resignation, but being smart. Acceptance Doesn’t Mean Giving Up “I would rather be able to appreciate things I cannot have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.” - Elbert HubbardĪcceptance is the first step towards being grateful - to take moments and people - even the weather - as they are.Īccepting reality as is, doesn’t mean giving up your dreams. When you stop fighting reality, you can uncover opportunities in life. But you can accept what you get and want it, as the above parable by Anthony de Mello illustrates. So I am quite sure we will have the kind of weather I like.”Įxpectations make you blind, rather than seeing the bright side of life, you keep waiting for the perfect weather. Shepherd: “Having found out, sir, that I cannot always get what I like, I have learned to like what I get.

Traveler: “How do you know it will be the kind of weather you like?” Traveler: “What kind of weather are we going to have today?” Perception is not reality - it’s our interpretation of reality.

I appreciate more of the beautiful weather