These comments are just a sample of the many provided by our students

Because it grants me the freedom to just be.

It is less stressful than trying to figure out why a situation is the way it is. It saves interpersonal friction if we can live and let live without judging. It lets us see reality more clearly if we are not limited by expectations based on what we think we know. It opens the way to more meaningful relationships with people who are not from the same class, culture, society, etc.

Acceptance is important because without it, I will continue to be in a stressful state all the time, and I want to be in balance and have healthy, honest relationships.

Acceptance is important because I keep coming back to this place of defeat and powerlessness, (not the good kind of powerlessness)

Accept is important because it is another outlook to handling something that is painful or anything. Acceptance is a way of growing within yourself. To accept means your are willingly comfortable to take in the situation and be okay with it. It is important to accept yourself and other environmental circumstances.

Acceptance is important for peace of mind and being realistic and honest.

Boost self esteem and prevents self denial and stigma

Should change be the desired outcome then accepting the reality of a situation is the first step on that path, if however change is not the desired outcome then acceptance becomes the adjustment that we make in a given situation.

You can't successfully work on self development until you accept so you are right now.

Acceptance is important to me because it is one of the critical foundations of living a contented life. If I do not accept how I am, or where I am, then I will be constantly dissatisfied and living a life of suffering, always wanting to be somewhere else or wanting to be in a different inner state. As Eckhart Tolle says, the perfect state is the total acceptance of now. Acceptance becomes even more important to me when I am suffering from a condition such as bipolar disorder and having to be on medications which make me tired, and it is during times like these that acceptance becomes more challenging and probably more necessary and helpful.

Aceptance is needed for the uncomfortable emotions,and is the first step to making them more comfortable.

Important for balance and personal growth.

As Byron Katie says, "If you argue with reality, you lose. But only 100% of the time."

If we do not accept that things are as they are, we are living in a delusion, and it is very difficult to take effective action to benefit ourselves or others when we are so deluded. Fighting against reality is exhausting, and diverts our attention from doing the things that actually would be helpful.

When we practice acceptance we can gain clarity about what we can control and what we cannot, what we can influence and what we cannot, what we can change and what we cannot, and we can begin to experiment so we can find the most workable solutions to our problems and the most satisfying ways of appreciating life in all its perfect imperfection.

I cannot change one thing until I accept where I am right now. I cannot love someone until I accept them. I have never loved myself so I would settle for liking myself. Had I not accepted I'm alcoholic I would still be drunk. If I had not accepted being BiPolar I would not be taking Tom's course. It is the key to most everything including accepting what I can't change. It's important for me to remember I can only change myself.

Acceptance is important because it provides the context with which to grow. If I cannot accept my current situation, I can't do the work of examining and developing strategies to help myself move forward. For example, I feel unsure of myself right now--I'm feeling the gearshift move into hypomania. It would be tempting to say that this isn't happening. Perhaps I'm just stressed, perhaps I'm having an unnaturally great day, etc. There's a mind-game that begins that undermines acceptance and only causes problems to grow. In accepting the reality of state, I can begin the actions that can help keep me functioning. This idea applies across a spectrum of circumstances a person can encounter, both long and short term. I'm currently working a job I don't like. I could refuse to accept this; walk out, play sick, etc. These instantly gratifying choices don't bode well for the long term. In accepting that I'm currently working this job, I can validate that I don't like it and I can also take steps to find work that's more fulfilling. The reality of a hard situation cannot truly be refused; acceptance makes the pain more tolerable and shifts the focus from the "GET ME OUT!" feeling to a place where action can occur.

Without it we struggle against what is, wasting time and energy fighting what is out of our control. Without hope we give up easily and our situations most often don’t get better as a consequence.

In order to have a starting point for future improvement and growth (goals, time line, plan etc), it is necessary to come to acceptance of where one is 'at' (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially etc) in order to determine where/ what can be improved. So in effect, the Socratic 'examining' of life, to in effect render the "...life worth living".

It will be the tool that makes ending it not an option. Acceptance will show me how to stay for myself and my family.

Why Acceptance Is Important