50+ community Check-in September 21-24, 2020
Happy Monday everyone, I hope youre having a wonderful day 
Acceptance is an active process. It must be practiced. At times it can be frustrating but, like creating a clearing in a grass field by walking the same path many times, every time you practice acceptance toward something, you create and strengthen neural pathways in your brain, facilitating ease in the future.
Acceptance can be practiced in all areas of your life: You can exercise it toward your current experience or reality, others' beliefs or ideas, your appearance, your emotions, your health, your past, your thoughts, or other individuals.
How good do you think you are at acceptance and are there any things at the moment you find hard to accept?
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How good do you think you are at acceptance and are there any things at the moment you find hard to accept?
I am pretty good at acceptance, and right at this time there is nothing that I find hard to accept.
@Offmytrack
Nice Offmytrack!
I find very little hard to accept. At this age, we have seen just about everything. There is life, death, happiness and sorrow. We have events that brings up joy and remind us of how exciting life can be and there are moments that feel like they are crushing us to the ground. All of these are just part of living.
Maybe, if I have to think really hard about it, I find it hard to accept the politics in the US today. It seems unfathomable that there is really 40% of people out there will such disregard for their life and the life of others. I find that hard to accept.
@rockym
It's sad what is happening at the moment and how much people themselves are involved in causing it.
@rockym I am finding this hard to accept also.
I think I have a mostly accepting attitude about things, even things I can't control - those are hard. Sometimes I think it's easier to accept things when I'm alone than when I'm with people. When I'm alone, my attitude is "yeah, whatever, let's move on." But when I'm with people, their attitudes tend to push me into getting upset about a lot of things I don't have control over, and thus, I don't accept things as much.
@thoughtfulmomma
When we are alone we just need to deal with our own thoughts and not with the negative vibes of others.
@amiablePeace77Currently, I dont feel good at acceptance. Im in a tough situation. I cant afford to live anywhere alone, at least not anywhere that I can find. (I am on low-income housing waiting lists.) So, I accepted an invitation from my sister to live with her and her husband. In exchange for cheap rent I will help them out as they both have severe health problems. It isnt ideal. In addition to my mental problems, I am struggling with being around people so much. Plus, they have their issues; substance abuse being one of them. I am clean and sober. My life situation is hard for me to accept and I think it is actually causing me to feel physically ill. But, I'm moving forward with the plan, so I'll have to get over it and accept it real soon.
@purpleTree4652
This sounds like a challenging situation, I hope things will turn out okay for you.
@amiablePeace77 acceptance is easiest with people and events that are distant from the center of my life. People close to me are more likely to get a response, although I am getting better at not reacting. I can accept all the things I am not trying to push away or cling to. Some days that is not a lot. lol
@soulsings
Clinging or pushing away make acceptance very hard.
I'm good at accepting. I can't think of anything that I haven't or can't
@Goldcherry2113
Goldcherry, that is wonderful! Seems you made acceptance one of your skills.
@Goldcherry2113- Admirable additude.
@amiablePeace77 I think it's important to differentiate passivity from acceptance. Very different.
@mutter3
Right mutter3, many people think acceptance means giving up to change but it's not. It's about accepting how things are in the now but we still can look for solutions, different ways.
@amiablePeace77
First, let me say that I really enjoy these thought provoking posts and the shared insight from the replies of others!!
For several years now, I have been seeking to become more peaceful, understanding and accepting of life, myself and others. I've always been a person who challenges; rages against the wind; struggles against restraints, and refuses to give up or give in. It seems that only after I've done everything I possibly can to avoid (whatever the situation is), that I seek to accept (the situation). This is a part of myself that I would like to be different. I now strive to 'let it be'.
Sher
@SeekerSher
You have walked a rough road. I am glad you found a way of getting peace by "let it be"
@SeekerSher
Learning when to fight and when to let go is difficult for many of us. I used to fight every fight that came along. I was the strong one, the trooper, the protector of others and then you eventually realize that there are some events where it's best to "let the next person take this one." Letting go is rough, but we can't fight every fight anymore if we want to keep our own mental health in tact.
@rockym,
Yes!!! You said it perfectly!!!
You are where I want to be ?!
Sher
I'm bad at acceptance. Bad at everything. I deserve to feel bad.
@HappyDucky8
It must be really rough to feel like youre not worthy of anything. I hope one day this will change and you can see the true value of yourself but for now Im sorry youre having a hard time.We love and care about you. 
@amiablePeace77
@TTGB
TryingToGetBetter
Hi everyone;
I just found this site and joined today.
I am so excited and hope that this site is place to find some help.
I just turned 58;
I am having some major life changes/issues; I can not share my true story with family or friends because I feel too much shame; beside they don't have the ability to help me.
The question is
if I am profoundly depressed and could not completely disclose my story to a psychiaterist/therapist (due to fear of disclosure of information to my specialty board that issues my work license)
then
what should I do?
Any suggestion?
Thanks so much.
@TTGB- your post struck home- many of us keep secrets buried deep inside us- for a multitude of reasons. I feel your pain- being unable to seek professional help for fear of reprecussions . You would probably be surprised that others have similar stories- and also are isolated holding them inside. Best of life to you- listeners can at least help you tread softly on the journey.
@TTGB
Hi there, welcome to our community, it's nice that you are here with us! 
I can only imagine how hard it must be for you not feeling comfortable to talk to anyone about what is worrying you. I hope you will find the support you are looking for on this site, remember you can always connect to a listener to have your private, confidential place if you like to share something more in detail. www.7cups.com/BrowseListeners/.
@TTGB
I understand not wanting to disclose to a psychiatrist or therapist for work concerns, but here's a suggestion... do you have a family doctor that you can talk to? Perhaps if you are in need of medication, this can be done though a family doctor or even a nurse practioner and it wouldn't be revealed as anything other then a typical check up.
@TTGB
i have some issues that I need not be disclosed. Therapist told me that if spouse and I went together, marital counseling doesn't get categorized as mental health disorder and no diagnoses are made. I'm not even sure if we both had to go but that if I wanted marital relationship counseling it wasn't counted as mental illness. Maybe doesn't apply to your situation but was a "good to know" in my situation in my state.
@TTGB it is true we are all here for some or other dark anguishing stain on our hearts and souls that we dare not share with others due to the unfatathomable repercussions. But it is also the place where some if not all of us have found solace in the listeners that are so willing gk give of their time. My advice would be to speak to someone more within your age group to just give you an ear and maybe even walk the journey with you. However I too must sound a word if caution to pick someone with who you are comfortable with. I wish you all the best if luck on your journey.
