Messy Monday

It’s Monday. The first day of a new work week. It began with me backing into a pole and tearing off my right rearview mirror.

Upsetting. Frustrating. Unwanted.

The best I could do was accept reality for what it was: my rearview mirror was broken. Thinking about it endlessly would only bring more anxiety, anger, and frustration. So, the next option was clear—find out who could fix it.

I uploaded a picture to Yelp, and several people offered their services. I selected a vendor who will come to my job and fix it on Wednesday. Yes, I am still upset. Yes, I am still mad. And of course, I wish I could turn back the hands of time and make a different choice. But I didn’t.

That, to me, is acceptance: recognizing reality as it is and choosing how to move forward. I can respond, or I can react.

It isn’t getting what we desire that builds resilience. It’s learning how to move through the messy parts of life with a clear mind and a firm decision—one that may work or may not, but one that moves us forward.

💭 Question for you: When was the last time you had to accept something you couldn’t change, and how did you choose to respond?