Acceptance

      I have been kind of “grinchy” the past few days. I have seen where my personal work lies by observing the multitude of dichotomies the “holidays” bring. For example, last week, I decided that I needed a bottle of water and some decaffeinated coffee. Ironically, if I had been exhibiting self love and had not felt the need for a chemically laden beverage, I’d have never experienced the circumstance I am about to share. I would have simply gone to my office, walked into my space and felt the peacefulness I feel when I am in that environment. But, no, I denied that part of me and I stepped into a learning situation.
      What occurred while I was waiting in the drive-thru was very interesting. When I reached the point where I was the next person to receive their drinks/food, I found myself sitting behind a black BMW. Suddenly, the car door opens, a woman jumps out and shoves a hamburger through the window saying, “I told you five times I wanted a double hamburger with pickles and catsup.” She then proceeds to stand outside the car, waiting for her “demanded” acquisition. She runs her fingers through her neatly coiffed hair and straightens her fur vest. After about five minutes, she gets her “new” hamburger. She then reaches into the car, grabs the French Fries that were in her car this whole time, and shoves those through the window saying, “give me warm fries, these are cold.” Now, the truly ironic thing about this entire situation is that the shopping center located near this eating establishment was playing Christmas music about peace on Earth.
      This situation shows that appearances can be very deceiving and it reflects the abundance of opportunity available in practical everyday experience. At the time I was sitting in my van being presented with this situation, I wasn’t seeing it as an opportunity for enlightenment, however. In truth, I was angry and wishing I was driving a tank! Knowing what I know about energy, there wasn’t a worst, more un-enlightened choice to make. In as much as it may appear that I was taking the “higher ground” what was really occurring was the exact same thing on my part. I was reacting and producing the same type of energy that this woman was producing with her indignation. She was expressing a lack of acceptance for what was being presented to her, and I was expressing a lack of acceptance for her. My motives in this situation were no less egocentric than this woman’s even though they may appear to be more egalitarian. The motivating energy was still a lack of acceptance on both our parts. I find this whole experience brings new meaning to the “convenience” of a drive-thru.
     If I had been more present I would have seen this as an opportunity to help heal the planet. What I needed to do in this situation was remain conscious and not get on a teeter-totter with this individual. Instead what happened when I slipped out of the moment, I got caught up in the momentum of this person’s fear and lack. I allowed the fear and lack that still exists in me to connect with her. It would have been the healing thing to do to shine the light of acceptance on the situation, this woman, and any part of myself that I do not accept. I needed to do this by sending love and creating the intention of a win-win situation for everyone involved. If I had done this, I could have changed the experience for everyone.
      The comforting thing about this whole set of circumstances, is that even though I opened a fear-based energy path, I can change it at any time I desire. I may not have shifted the energy in that “instant”, but I can make shifts now by changing the energy through which I view the exchange. Instead of feeding the fear and separation path I can feed the path of acceptance. It is said that “the influences of grace are often found in unexpected places.” I am grateful that I was capable of recognizing my part in maintaining this fearful world view. I accept the early Christmas gift that this situation provided. Once again I can promote Peace on Earth by finding the peace within me. God Bless us, Everyone.
                                                                                         Michelle L. McClellan, Psy.D. ©