From Waves to Wisdom: a Lesson in Acceptance on the Mediterranean Sea

The rough Mediterranean Sea taught me a valuable lesson that I already knew. Accept what we can't change to live in harmony and peace

I started writing this blog from Italy. It's about my thoughts on acceptance and the importance of accepting things we can't change for our own serenity and inner peace.

We practice acceptance in yoga; as we settle in, we embrace what's happening moment by moment; we accept internal sensations as they arise and thoughts and emotions as they come and go. We stay focused as we also learn to accept external things like the trucks on Route 22 or the door opening as someone comes in late for class. As we move deeper into our practice and move through asanas, we accept our feelings and sensations in the poses, and we use our breath to guide us through the slight discomforts and challenges. We recognize that each day is different, and what we could do yesterday might not be possible today – we honor our bodies and their limitations and find peace in them. Whether through a gentle, relaxing child's pose, a warrior's fierceness, or savasana's introspection, yoga encourages us to listen to our bodies and cultivate a sense of acceptance for where we are right now.

That's a good thing because life off the mat is full of discomforts and challenges. Sometimes, it's hard to accept ourselves as we are because we're conditioned from childhood to strive, achieve, do better, become someone, make a mark, and maybe even leave a legacy. Guilty. I had a lesson in acceptance in the Mediterranean Sea.

I always thought my balance was pretty good, but going on a stand-up paddle board (SUP) on the Mediterranean Sea on a windy day with rough waves was next to impossible for me. I had to accept sitting on the board more than standing and a few nice falls in the sea. I took my youngest daughter out with me; it was her first time. Once she got the hang of it, she stood up more than I did. Ugh, but comparison is the thief of joy, even though I did attribute her success to her youth and that she's an equestrian with amazing equilibrium. With the waves tossing and the wind challenging my balance, I quickly realized that all my expectations of standing tall and paddling with grace were unrealistic. I didn't accept it right away; I was holding on to succeeding and attached to what I thought I should be able to do. That's 100% ego right there. Then, I did the yoga thing. I let go of this judgment, of my attachment to the outcome. I accepted where I was and went on from there. The sea taught me that acceptance is not about giving up but about adapting to the present circumstances with grace. Each attempt to stand reminded me to be patient with myself; each fall reminded me to laugh at my mistakes. When I let go I started to notice and appreciate everything around me so much more. I began to enjoy every growing wave, the steep hills and pastel colored houses of Camogli in the background, and the colors of the endless sea around me. The more we take the teachings of yoga off the mat and into our lives, the more peace we find. So, in that moment, I let go of the outcome and felt my body on the board riding the waves, my legs dangling in the cool water surrounded by beauty. And when I did that, we had so much fun!

Acceptance is about embracing the present moment with all its imperfections and recognizing our inherent worth regardless of our achievements or setbacks. It is deeply rooted in ancient yoga philosophy, which teaches us that peace comes from within and not from external forces or circumstances. As the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (the earliest existing "textbook " on yoga) remind us, contentment (Santosha) and non-attachment (Aparigraha) are keys to a harmonious life.

Many people come to yoga classes and often struggle with what they think they should be able to do. As they realize it's not helpful to beat themselves up about it, they find more joy and growth because they can then focus on their experience moment by moment as sensations occur. Non-acceptance adds to our suffering, as does comparing ourselves to others: they take us out of the moment and the joy of being in our bodies. I do a few things every day to help me with acceptance.

Practice gratitude for my abundance instead of focusing on what I don't have.
I use affirmations because they keep me motivated. Some might be, " I am successful," " Today is an amazing day," "I am grateful for everything I have," "I focus on my health every day," etc.
When I catch myself comparing myself to others, I remind myself that I'm special, like everyone else, and I have my unique path.

In the end, the waves and wind of the Mediterranean taught me a valuable lesson: acceptance is not a passive resignation but an active engagement with the present moment, much like settling in with our breath or embracing challenges in class. It's about letting go of the need for perfection and riding the waves with all their ups and downs. The true essence of acceptance is finding inner peace amidst life's rough waves, trusting that every fall carries the wisdom we need to grow.