Acceptance vs. Resignation

Have you ever told yourself you've "accepted" something that still irritates you daily? That's not acceptance—it's resignation. One of my clients believed they "accepted" a difficult colleague's behavior: "It's not a problem, I've just accepted they'll interrupt me in meetings and always be a thorn in my side." True acceptance means no longer being bothered. It means reclaiming your time and energy. True acceptance is moving forward without judgment, disdain, or frustration. When facing a challenging situation, ask yourself: **What specifically needs acceptance here? **Do I have the power to change this situation? (The answer is almost always yes—you can communicate impact using facts, not assumptions) **What specific change would make a difference? Acceptance is always an option—but make sure it's genuine acceptance, not just tolerating what continues to drain you.