Best Self Magazine

Tending Our Emotional Stew Through Mindful Acceptance

Tending Our Emotional Stew Through Mindful Acceptance by Scott Cooper. Photograph of person meditating on mountain top by Milan Popovic
Photograph by Milan Popovic

Unpleasant feelings are normal; why worsen your situation by fighting them? Through mindful acceptance we can find peace even in the discomfort.

What brings peace of mind is different for each of us. 

Yet, studies confirm that each of us can enhance our peace of mind by practicing greater acceptance of our natural, and sometimes difficult, emotions. Each of us carries around an inner pot of ‘emotional stew’ filled with flavors both pleasant and unpleasant — sweet, spicy, bitter, tart, and savory. 

Two recent

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