In times of turmoil, whether throughout the world or personally, accepting what simply is can be challenging. On the spiritual path, I am taught to be patient, to be open-minded, and to take one small step in front of the other.

Because I can only speak from experience, I often share something I have been through or am experiencing at the moment. Accepting what is has been a big lesson for me for a long time now, one I am still learning. But it wasn’t until about a year ago that somehow I started to be more aware that there are some things I just cannot change, and therefore, there are two options I am confronted with: to suffer from the fact that I don’t like how things are going and I can’t change them; or to accept it (whatever “it” may be).

Mysteriously enough, once I accept what is in front of me, not only do I feel freer, but I start seeing the options I do have within that circumstance, and sooner or later something shifts. That which seemed a challenge or an unwanted situation, in the beginning, becomes a fluid process. A process that I can be open to enjoy without focusing on how many small steps I still have in front of me, but focusing on the present moment, knowing that what I do have is the choice to be happy now. The journey now stops being the means to get to a destination, and the way I experience the journey becomes my “state of mind destination.”

Now, I need tools to help me remember all of this along the way. What are these tools? Yes, meditation is number 1. However, we can’t only be angels during our meditation practice. We need to be able to shift our awareness at any given moment, while we work, study, connect with our family, work colleagues, and so on.

Find your set of tools that help you remember to be happy now! Maybe it is going out on a walk in nature, listening to inspiring music, a reading you enjoy from your own path or a teacher that inspires you.

Here is a helpful affirmation you can repeat mentally anytime during the day:

"I accept with calm impartiality whatever comes my way. Free in my heart, I am not conditioned by any outward circumstance."

Wishing you a joyful journey!