Why is it that humans have such a difficult time with acceptance?  Is it that we want it (whatever it is) and we want it now?  Is it that control part of our psyche that creeps in and tells us that we can manipulate people, situations, and every day life?  Or is it that inner child emerging and demanding to have our wants instantaneously gratified?

I have no idea.  But I do know that for me acceptance and patience seem to go hand in hand.  Acceptance is a tough thing to master for us humans and the larger the obstacle we're faced with, the tougher it is.  It's a lot easier to accept a dismal weather forecast that canceled out our plans than it is to accept a health issue.

The older I'm getting though, the more I'm realizing that when I'm reluctant to "accept," I'm not living in the moment.  I'm allowing those precious moments of life to be clouded by worries and concerns that most of the time I truly have no control over.

I caught this photo of Marcel and Foster the other day and it got me to thinking....animals accept so much better than us humans.  So I created the phrase, "To err is human...to accept is feline."  Animals accept that we'll feed them, care for them properly and love them.  Not only that, many times they accept each other far better than humans do.  We allow petty things to color our judgements and form our opinions.  We're known for misunderstanding a word or intent and then feeling justified that we're right and "they" are wrong.  We have selective hearing and this taints our acceptance as well.

I recently (finally) watched the movie, Life is Beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen another character portrayed with as much optimism and positive thinking as that father.  His acceptance bordered on joyful.  Was he happy to be in a concentration camp with his young son?  Was he comfortable with the conditions?  Of course not.  Yet he accepted.  He accepted in the best way he knew how...by protecting his child.  And throughout the entire movie you knew his mantra was Life is Beautiful.

Because life truly is beautiful and for me.....when I accept and let go, somehow magically not only am I able to more fully enjoy the moments, but the obstacle either resolves or diminishes.

These are the kind of thoughts that filter through my head and push me forward....as I get older.

See you tomorrow.........