Sometimes choice is conscious, sometimes not. When it is conscious and observed from awareness, action flows easily and is likely to have positive results. When contemplation is bypassed and judgments are influenced by unconscious biases, action is more likely to be reactive and lead to negative results.
A key point is, accepting things as they are does not mean perpetuating them. You do not have to accept that some horrible reality will continue into the future as it is. In fact, nothing will stay the same. Everything changes.
Responsively Influence the Future
Acceptance sets the stage for responsiveness.
Unless you are a time traveler, you cannot change the past or the present moment. But you can influence the future. You can act to influence the future and achieve your goals, if you have the courage and power. If you do act, do it mindfully aware of your motivations, the risks and rewards, the probability of success, impact on others, and all the other considerations that will make what you do wise and worthwhile. If you do act, realize that you will be faced with the need to accept the outcome, which may or may not be to your liking.
Mindful awareness becomes a platform for responsiveness as opposed to reactivity. It is more likely that what you do will be successful if you act responsively. Reactive behavior is a sign that there are unconscious decisions being made at the speed of thought. It is a sign that you are caught in habitual patterns and beliefs. Frustration and other forms of feeling miserable are reactions. Acceptance, including the acceptance of these feelings, is a healthier alternative.
Break out. Bring the thoughts, feelings and considerations driving feelings and decisions to conscious mind. Cultivate mindful awareness. Step back to objectively observe whatever is occurring in and around you.
Avoid analysis paralysis, but take the time (sometimes seconds, sometimes longer) to decide if what you are about to do is wise. Get quiet enough to allow intuition and wisdom to arise and guide the decision. Use frustration and anger at unpleasant situations as a signal to transform the energy of these feelings to fuel your actions.
Accept what you cannot change, change what you can and do your best to know the difference between them. Over time, as mindful awareness matures into the normal way of experiencing life, informed intuition and wisdom will enable responsive action to flow effortlessly.
