Accepting the People You Love
Accept or deny? Our facial expression, body language, words, and attention communicate to people whether we accept them or deny them.
Think of the 5 people you are around the most. These are probably family members and perhaps some co-workers or friends.
Do they thrive in your presence or wilt? Sure, most of this is up to them, but in your presence, you have a choice about the influence you have. Here are 3 simple but crucial ideas:
1. Accept them in your mind first. Seriously, think about one of these people. Do they bug you or do difficult things sometimes? Certainly. So do you. But, can you accept them rather than reject them? Can you find their beauty? Look past the surface to see their better motivations. Work to appreciate their uniqueness and decide to accept them.
2. Listen to them. I know, I know, some of them have a lot to say. Some of them don’t say much at all. Just listen. Listen deeply. Hear what they care about. Listen until the smile of appreciation emerges on your face.
3. Act on acceptance. You might hug them or perhaps offer to help them with something they’re doing. You could give them a small gift, or just offer to buy them a coffee. You might put your acceptance into words. You could even create a special experience, adventure, or date. But, act on your acceptance of this person.
Simple, but challenging. You can love people better by intentionally accepting them as they are.
Worth Repeating
Human beings, like plants, grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection.
-John Powell
