Acceptance, a buzz word for successful worldly life

Puran Chand Sharma

Life is all about acceptance, and when we learn the art of accepting whatever comes in our worldly journey, whether it is a challenging situation, a business outcome or a partnership, it is the acceptance that makes it successful. Even bacteria mutate to survive in a hostile atmosphere, so why can’t we?. We have to learn to constantly adapt to situations without being much disturbed. There is no perfect human being. We are colliding against each other with all our imperfections. If we are seeking perfection, we need to question ourselves first. Am I perfect? Many people want to know if horoscopes are important in determining the right partner. Perhaps the best way to answer this question is to share the example of Lord Rama from Ramayana. All the Rishis checked, double checked and triple checked the horoscope at the time of his marriage to Sita, Rama had to struggle for fourteen years with his wife, making her go through difficult tests. She had to endure an ordeal of fire after her abduction by Ravana. What sort of a   husband was he?

Sita boldly suffered everything. As Swami Vivekananda puts it, there has been no woman like Sita on this planet and there shall never be. Even the most chaste, pure woman was questioned, not by an ordinary man but by a divine incarnation. So, it is better not to accept too much. When we are able to accept what life throws at us, we can move on quite happily. Even the most perfect match can be disastrous, we do not know what previous Samskars will surface when, and what new Samskars are forming now. Our responses to life are very complex, and they become all the more obvious when we ask ourselves two questions: “ How well do we accept our own faults?” and How well do we accept the faults of others and the circumstances around us? It is worth pondering over our responses deeply, because if we keep accepting everything, what is the point in continuous improvement towards perfection? ‘I accept my imperfections. I am so happy and I am at peace. I do not have to change.’ Is that kind of acceptance useful?

There is a joke where a husband comes home rushing to his wife and says, ‘ Papa and Mummy are coming this evening.’ He gives this news to her with so much joy but his wife starts grumbling, ‘Not again! Why do they keep coming so often? The husband just keeps quiet. Then, in the evening, the door bell rings and she sees her own parents standing outside! She is so happy. What happened to acceptance there? We accept certain situations with so much joy and have aversion to others. It is when our hearts become small that acceptance bids goodbye. We accept people and their idiosyncrasies when they are our own. When they are not our own, it is a different matter. But spirituality says something else. So please think about it. Whenever any situation in your family, your business or your work environment demands certain level of acceptance, see how you can go. Keep thinking. If acceptance is done out of habit or is enforced, then we are performing another ritual in a refined way. For example, I must accept this, otherwise I am going against the philosophy of Heartfulness’, is not a useful thought, especially if the heart says otherwise. We need to accept situations in life with full alertness and full awareness. There is no point in blindly saying that we have to accept something because someone else says so. Then it will not be true acceptance.

In reality acceptance is a quiet yet powerful virtue that shapes as to how individuals engage with life’s uncertainties, relationships and inner struggles. At its core, acceptance means acknowledging reality as it is without denial, resistance or unnecessary judgement. One of its greatest advantages is that it reduces mental conflict. When people accept situations, they cannot control such as loss, failure or change they conserve emotional energy and gain clarity to act wisely where action is possible. Acceptance also nurtures resilience, it helps individuals adapt, and move forward rather than remain trapped in frustration or regret. In relationships, acceptance fosters empathy and harmony as people learn to respect differences instead of constantly trying to change others.

However, acceptance has its limitations and potential drawbacks, misunderstood, it can slip into passivity or complacency. Blind acceptance of injustice, unhealthy situations or personal shortcomings may prevent growth and necessary action, for instance, accepting failure without reflection can lead to repeated mistakes, while accepting unfair systems without question may sustain inequality. Thus, acceptance must be balanced with awareness and discernment—knowing what to accept and what to challenge. In worldly life, the significance of acceptance lies in its ability to create inner peace while maintaining outer effectiveness. It acts as a stabilizing force in a rapidly changing world, enabling individuals to remain grounded amid uncertainty. True acceptance does not mean giving up, rather it means beginning from reality. It is the foundation on which meaningful change is built. When combined with effort, courage and wisdom, acceptance transforms from mere resignation into a tool for growth, maturity and purposeful living.

Acceptance as a core value, reflects emotional maturity, clarity of thought and alignment with reality. It is not weakness or surrender but the strength to recognize ‘what is’ before deciding ‘what ought to be’. In essence acceptance teaches humility acknowledging that not everything lies within our control while also encouraging responsibility for what we can change. It forms the psychological foundation of patience, tolerance and resilience enabling individuals to remain steady even in uncertainty, criticism or failure. In current times-marked by rapid technological change, social comparison and constant pressure to perform, acceptance has become more significant. People are often caught between unrealistic expectations and harsh realities, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction. Acceptance helps break this cycle by grounding individuals in the present. It promotes mental well-being, reduces unnecessary stress and encourages self-awareness. Socially it fosters inclusivity and harmony by encouraging respect for diverse opinions, cultures and identities, something essential in a pluralistic and interconnected world.

The true power of acceptance lies in balance. It is about calmly embracing reality while retaining the determination to improve it. In today’s fast paced and overwhelming world, acceptance acts as both anchor and a compass keeping individuals grounded, yet guiding them towards meaningful progress.

(author is president of managing committee, ved mandir,amphala)