Recently in a yoga class - not a self-improvement class, and I say this because personal development classes is where one normally receives this type of "instruction" - the yoga instructor made a simple request: accept yourself. "Accept yourself just the way that you are and exactly where you are", he said.

This means so much …to accept myself just the way that I am is to acknowledge that all is well and the potential for even better is right here and now. It is a peaceful command. It is full of promise and it is very empowering because of the hope that it instills.

When I am in acceptance then dreams, the source of all development and progression, are entertained without rancor. One can go to those domains of fantasy with an anticipatory outlook, accepting the experience as the playful game, which is what day dreaming is meant to be.

“Accept myself here and now just the way that I am”. I kept repeating this to myself as I focused on the asana at hand. It was the mantra of the moment. And then I noticed that holding the pose was not nearly as challenging, was not nearly as daunting. The command to release came much sooner than I had expected; it came much sooner than it seems to come when I am not in the present, when I am not totally focusing on accepting who and what I am right now.

Acceptance … what a peaceful, beautiful word. No, it is more than a word; it is a state of being. It is a way to live. And then I realized that it is more than about me. Acceptance of others, just the way they are. Wow, that brings even more tranquility into this life of mine that is so very full of all the attributes of this century - the go go routine of daily life. After all, I am not here to change anyone except myself. We are each on our own path, our own journey and to acknowledge this and to accept it, in someone else, is also very liberating. It takes a huge load off our shoulders.

And now let us expand this idea even further. Let us accept, not only ourselves and others as we are but let us accept everything that makes up our life. Acceptance is not giving up. Acceptance is being open to move forward, to expand, to evolve.

Author's Bio: 

You are a masterpiece and I am here to help you unveil your canvas.

There are many easy to apply the tips that are in my tool box, which have been acquired over the years in my various roles. I started out as an educator in the public school system, moved on to corporate training; established and operated a very successful business in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall; returned to Canada and redesigned myself by learning to currency trade, to write children's stories and now to share my experiences on-line.