Finding Harmony in Dichotomy

Embracing life’s contradictions by navigating the tightrope of acceptance

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

Life’s Contradictions: The Power of Acceptance

So much of life is about adapting and balancing the tightrope between making the best of what you have and dreaming, dreaming for a better future and a better world.

Dear Friend,

They say a lesson repeats itself until it is learned, and I can think of many examples where this maxim holds true.

Just the other week, in a performance coaching session* and subsequent colleague conversation, I was reminded of how liberating it is when we are willing to make mistakes and allow ourselves to be wrong.

When we step out of our own way, life beautifully unfolds, creativity flows and we enjoy the present moment.

But I wonder if the same holds true with words. Are words repeated until you give them your full attention? Are they a form of lessons in disguise?

I ask because I have noticed, and I am curious, if it is the same for anyone else that in a short space of time, the same word is brought into your consciousness and repeated.

Is it a random coincidence or something more significant, more encompassing, attempting to tell you something?

Some say there is no such thing as randomness or even coincidence — what we experience in life is pre-determined.

Fate is what you are given, destiny is what you make — source unknown

But I like to think that randomness, like potential, does and can exist, and while we clearly live in a world of cause and effect, because of this, we have agency. (always — if we choose and remember.)

For me, two words in conversation and through, I must do better and stop— doom scrolling social media presented themselves.

The words acceptance and paradox. Neither are directly connected, but both have taken me down interesting avenues of conversation, thought and contemplation.

Navigating Life’s Paradoxes: A Journey of Acceptance

Life may be full of contradictions and paradoxes, but if we want peace and happiness, then we must learn to accept what life presents and, first and foremost, who we are.

Acceptance: With acceptance, I have been reminded how this sometimes forgotten and understated word is so powerful and significant in our lives, that is, if you want peace and happiness.

Acceptance can take many forms and is one of the essential elements of change, which, we know, is a consistent factor in our lives.

Sometimes, things we need to accept are not so obvious because we are in a state of denial.

Do these sound familiar? Let things go, learn to trust yourself and step out of your own way — all phrases that encourage acceptance.

Phrases that encourage us to acknowledge and embrace things as they are. For example, the fact that we are alive and here against all the odds and permutations signals that we are enough!

We find inner peace when we embrace our circumstances without resistance and judgment.

Acceptance is often confused with approval when, in reality, it is nothing more than our willingness to face and adapt to circumstances. We may disagree with a situation, but at least we maintain our agency, knowing that we can always accept, change or leave it.

So, it stands to reason that awareness and the practice of acceptance are skills we can all benefit from.

Paradoxes: With paradoxes, this indirectly aligns with acceptance. Life is full of paradoxes that we may be unable to explain or fully understand, but if we want to function and move forward, we must accept.

Take, for example, the Solomon paradox, where we are likely to offer advice to a colleague, friend or family member, but when it comes to us following that advice, we struggle.

Or what about the relationship intimacy paradox? The more you try to keep someone close, the further you push them away.

Freedom is an act of love; Fear warrents and demands control.

With paradoxes, there is no clever calculation or resolution; they appear as facts, but often, they are nothing more than a logical contradiction arising from our limited knowledge and understanding of how things work.

For an entertaining list of life paradoxes, see 20 Paradoxes That Are True.

Paradoxes challenge our assumptions and force us to think differently, and in as much as we might try to push against them, they become a maxim despite their contradictions that, sooner or later, we must learn to accept.

I share this journey of acceptance in this poem: How I learned to live with Cognitive Dissonance.

Final thoughts

So much of life is about adapting and balancing the tightrope between making the best of what you have (acceptance) and dreaming, dreaming for a better future and a better world.

Maybe repeated words have a significantly deeper meaning, or maybe it is just a coincidence. I will happily accept either, but I know with awareness comes a choice because first comes awareness, then acceptance and the exercising of choice. (Accept, Change or Leave It.)

Life may be full of contradictions and paradoxes, but if we want peace and happiness, then we must learn to accept what life presents and, first and foremost, who we are.

Thanks for reading, see you at the next one. 😊

At any time, if you would like to say hello, give feedback, or raise or share a topic you would like to see me explore, please get in touch.

You can contact me, Jesse, by email at: jes@lifesuccesshappiness.com.

If you want to receive tips, inspiration, and knowledge on how to live healthier, happier, more loving, and fulfilled lives, then click on my newsletter sign-up link. 👇

LifeSuccessHappiness newsletter

*This is an affiliate link to The Fearless Performer coaching programme. I get a small commission if you sign up. This course has opened my mind, changing how I think about presenting and performing for the better. It could do the same for you if you want to change your relationship to performing.