Most people feel loved when their expressions are well-received. But even the best we have to offer will sometimes bump against a negative response. What happens then? Do you judge the other person for their lack of discernment? Or do you turn inward and fear that your expression was lacking? Neither of these responses will help you love life.

What if instead, you wrapped each of your expressions in acceptance? Then, instead of either feeling angry about the other person’s criticism or judging yourself for not being enough, you can walk away feeling complete. By accepting that who you are in each moment is enough, you will have the momentum to move through what previously seemed like stumbling blocks.

To love life, we must keep moving forward. But trying to be more than you can be in any moment stops all movement and mires you down in the ego traits of pride or criticism. By wrapping each expression in acceptance, the previous roadblock to loving life evaporates. You can then stop worrying about who you have been or who you are going to be and enjoy the ride.

Once acceptance becomes a habit, your real self can come out of hiding. And of course, you will want company on this journey of self-fulfillment, so you will need to start wrapping acceptance around the expression of others. You may at first find this more difficult than doing it for yourself. But persevere because it is more fun to love life with others.

You can start spreading acceptance by complimenting whatever part of the other person’s expression you see as real. That gives you a focus beyond what you would have previously experienced, and includes them in your celebration of life. By extending this practice of acceptance to others, you will become more aware of the difference between heartfelt expressions and judgmental ones.

Judgement or pride of expression stops movement and blocks you from loving life. It is forward movement that allows you to keep love alive and active. And the key to that movement is wrapping acceptance around all expressions. Once you can accept the present, the past is put to rest, and the future opens up.