The most important lesson I've learned in my life is that when I accept all that is before me, moment to moment, I have peace. 

In life we all come across obstacles that are in our path and so whether it's low self-esteem, a bad relationship, depression, personality clashes with co-workers, not having enough money, or fear of the future, we have a choice.  We can choose to become stressed out, angry, and overwhelmed, or we can choose to accept our current circumstances and be present with all that it holds for us, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  When I am resisting or fighting against a situation, thought or feeling, or find myself in a bad or irritable mood it is the signal to myself to stop and to let go.  As soon as my thinking shifts from resistance to acceptance, the mood lifts, the enegy shifts, and whatever it was that felt so huge is now quite small.

However, what is monumentally important to keep in mind with this is that is is a practice!  It is not something that I learned overnight or in two weeks time, but something that I persevere with each day of my life and over time it has become easier to do.  Even in times of great crisis this mindset has saved me from spiraling into total despair and chaos.  Just recently I witnessed a terrible car accident in the snow and ice of Central Oregon.  We were the first upon the scene and what saved me as we responded the best we knew how was to keep focused on accepting the situation before me and to act from that place, choosing not to be locked in fear and chaos.  Sometimes it is a true crisis of life or death that enables us to get out of our heads and simply be in each moment as it appears in front of us. 

When we are in the moment and not in the future or the past, we can be present and accepting of all that is now.  Remember your choice in each situation you find yourself in in your life.....stress and resistance, or acceptance and peace.