Loving and Accepting Others Exactly As They Are
I was recently asked the question: “How does one love and accept someone who has been hurtful to you.” The only way I know to move forward in life when someone has deeply hurt me, is to send them love and acceptance. We are all doing the best we can in each moment. It is important to recognize everything is divinely guided in life and as a result, sometimes bad things happen to good people.
There is nothing one can do to change the other person. However, one can certainly learn to set boundaries and be mindful of the need to protect oneself from hurtful people.
By loving and accepting others exactly as they are, we release ourselves from the responsibility for taking care of them and expecting them to change. When I accept that someone I care about is hurtful, then I will ensure I take care of myself. I will call on the support in my life that empowers me as I move forward into a place of trust and self-confidence.
This can sometimes be difficult with our family members. There are so many expectations in the process of loving our immediate family. However, as I have learned to love and accept my family exactly as they are, I have discovered I can remove myself from the drama and chaos and love them all for their genuine desire to seek love and approval.
Loving and accepting others exactly as they are is truly the most important gift we can give to those we care about. It frees us from all expectations, allows us to see the other person in their own truth and step out of their way. It stops the blame game and encourages connection in so many new areas of our lives. The energy spent attempting to “fix” the other person is stopped and now there is room for new loving relationships to be nurtured instead.
If you find the affirmation: I love and accept others exactly as they are… difficult, then say: I am willing to love and accept others exactly as they are. This affirmation is a very powerful tool for releasing the past and opening the doors to forgiveness.
Today, I…
Love and accept (fill in the name) exactly as they are…
Love and accept myself exactly as I am…
I am willing to forgive…
I am willing to set boundaries…
I am safe…
And so it is…
Liz Robitaille is an internationally recognized Louise L. Hay teacher and founder of Wisdom is Within Coaching. She can be reached at 877-986-5321 or liz@wisdomiswithin.com
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