By Wally Amos
Acceptance
How
many times have you allowed a situation to get totally out of control that you
could have changed by accepting what was happening but failed to do so? Let me
give you an example.
After
traveling non-stop for five weeks, I arrive at 5:35 a.m., at the Madison, Wisc.
airport to board a 6:30 a.m. flight for Chicago on the first leg of a three-leg
trip home to Hawaii. I show my ID. After a while, the agent asks if I have a
paper ticket; my first clue that I’ve got a problem. I have flown almost 30
legs with electronic tickets, why would I have a paper ticket now? She checks
further and advises that my reservation is in the computer, however, the
e-ticket was voided April 18, 20 minutes after it was issued. She further
advises that the computer cannot issue me a boarding pass because it does not
have an e-ticket authorization.
At
this point, I remember that the day’s message from the Daily Word is, Let Go,
Let God. It’s now 5:55 a.m., and the agent goes in the backroom, which is a
sign of serious problems. After three or four minutes she returns, makes a phone
call, plays with the computer some more and advises that the only way I can get
a ticket is to pay the original fare. It’s now about 6:08 a.m. and without
hesitation, I rip out my wallet.
There
was a time when I would have argued that they were wrong and I would have missed
my flight. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is the quote from the
Prayer of Serenity, “Lord, grant me the wisdom to change the things I can and
accept those I cannot.” Acceptance is a great asset. You can’t even begin to
change a situation until you’ve accepted it. Then, you can focus on how you
can create the results that will help you achieve your goal. Acceptance gives
you peace of mind. When you can’t change it, accept it.