Acceptance is a super power

If denial is a mental fallacy, then acceptance is a super power. I’ve noticed denial in my own life more and more recently. I shake off a piece of feedback, as if it has no merit. I get behind on personal chores and bills, telling myself it’ll all work out fine. In reality, I’m just trying to avoid discomfort. 

Denial is “a person's choice to deny reality as a way to avoid a psychologically uncomfortable truth.” When unexpected bad things happen to me, my immediate optimist response is denial. I don’t want to face up to bad news. I want to tell myself it won’t be that bad. But the only person I’m fooling is me. Acceptance shines a light on the situation. It shows you where all the pieces lie, so you can pick them back up and make the most informed decision. 

Denial is shying away from a punch. Denial is squirming around the ring, until you’re finally on the ropes with nowhere to go. Acceptance is taking one on the chin and straightening right back up. Acceptance is wiping the blood from your mouth, seeing where your opponent stands, and striking back. 

It’s not fun. But acceptance is a super power. Acceptance shows you the very best way forward, with the most clear, truthful picture of what’s happening.