The Power of Acceptance

At the start of this year, I began reading Leo Tolstoy's daily devotional, A Calendar of Wisdom.

I found today's entry particularly apt for these trying times:

"We would think a man insane who, instead of covering his house with a roof and putting windows in his window frames, goes out in stormy weather, and scolds the wind, the rain, and the clouds. But we all do the same when we scold and blame the evil in other people instead of fighting the evil which exists in us. It is possible to get rid of the evil inside of us, as it is possible to make a roof and windows for our house. This is possible. But it is not possible for us to destroy evil in this world, just as we cannot order the weather to change and the clouds to disappear. If, instead of teaching others, we would educate and improve ourselves, then there would be less evil in this world, and all people would live better lives."

Although I might not be fighting evil in the literal sense, I do often catch myself "scolding the wind, the rain, and the clouds." This passage reminded me to accept the situation I'm in and focus on building "the roof and windows" instead of wasting my energy via self-pity or anger.

I'm not sure what this year will bring but I can be sure of at least a few storms along the way.

When the storm comes, what will you be doing?

Photo by Miriana Dorobantu

About the Author: Robert Chen

Robert Chen is the founder of Embrace Possibility, where he writes about the practical skills behind reaching your full potential — getting clear on what you want, and following through on it. He's a lecturer at the Wharton School, author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Selling Your Expertise, and the founder of Vana Lab, where he now teaches teenagers the same skills the executives he coaches wish they'd learned sooner. If something here resonated, join his free 52-Week Success Habits series — one short, practical email a week, with The Dreams to Reality Fieldbook as a welcome gift. Or explore more of his work at robertchen.com and read more of his posts here.