The Art of Acceptance - Living in an Imperfect World

Stephanie Dowrick interviewed on Life Matters 

‘Only the best is enough’ is often out of reach, it is idealised.

The focus is often on the goal rather than being present to the process. When the focus is only on the goal then it becomes very narrow. When things change or don’t go the way we thought it can really challenge our sense of control. By obsessing over it we lose trust: trust in others, trust in ourselves. We lose living in the experience, discoveries and staying with the process.

A discussion on completing tasks follows:   

CD Available
Wellington Library

How thoughts undermine us and not being able to face or contemplate failure. Stephanie talks about having resilience to be able to fail and learn from mistakes and move on. Fostering the ability to be wise, clever and recover - recovery is very crucial. Remember the goal is to stay present.
Some good questions are:

• Does this goal nourish me?
  
• How does this goal fit with my general values about life?
  
• What other parts of my life could be feeding me?
  
• Am I setting this goal at the expense of myself and others?
  

Idealism and commitment are topics also discussed, and relationships.

A helpful realisation is that often what is as perceived as perfect is static. Life is vivid, moving and less perfect:

• Accepting the world is imperfect
  
• Accepting relationships are imperfect
  
• Accepting we are imperfect
  

Be content with the present. Making conscious choices, reminding ourselves what is important, what are our excuses, and remembering to nourish ourselves.

This CD is available from Wellington Central Library

The Art of Acceptance – Stephanie Dowrick interviewed on Life Matters
158.1 DOW 718-929
May 2005