"أقبل الكون"

The core idea of "I accept the universe" is about embracing reality as it is, without resistance or denial. It’s about understanding that there are things beyond our control and finding peace in accepting them rather than fighting against them. This acceptance doesn’t mean passivity or surrender. Instead, it’s about recognizing the vast, uncontrollable nature of life and choosing to coexist with it harmoniously.

This phrase was famously attributed to Margaret Fuller, a 19th-century American journalist and women's rights advocate. Fuller was known for her transcendentalist views, which emphasized the inherent goodness of people and nature. The context of her saying this (though some dispute if she actually said it) can be tied to the transcendentalist belief in accepting the natural world and its events as they are, learning from them, and growing through them.

Imagine you're a young entrepreneur who’s just launched your dream startup. Everything seemed perfect until—boom—a global pandemic hits. Your carefully laid plans? Out the window. Revenue plummets, and you’re left scrambling. Here’s a real-life example: many small business owners faced this exact situation in 2020. Instead of giving up, some accepted the new reality and pivoted their business models. Restaurants turned into delivery-only services, gyms offered online classes, and retail stores embraced e-commerce. By accepting the universe, these entrepreneurs found innovative ways to survive and even thrive.

How can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by identifying the things you can’t control. These might be external events, other people’s actions, or even certain outcomes. Once you’ve identified them, consciously decide to let go of your resistance. It's not easy—no one’s pretending it is. But by practicing mindfulness, you can train yourself to accept reality as it comes. This doesn’t mean you don’t take action. On the contrary, acceptance can clear your mind to see new opportunities and solutions you might have missed while fighting against what is.

Now, think about your daily life. Imagine you’re stuck in traffic, late for an important meeting. Your first instinct is to stress out, curse every red light, and feel your frustration boiling over. But what if, instead, you took a deep breath and accepted the situation? You can’t control the traffic, but you can control your response. Maybe you use this time to listen to a podcast you’ve been meaning to catch up on. Or call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. By accepting the situation, you shift from a place of stress to a place of opportunity.

Talking about stories, let’s think about John, a friend of mine. John lost his job unexpectedly. He felt like the ground had been ripped from under him. But instead of wallowing in despair, he decided to accept this twist in his life. He took it as a chance to pursue his passion for photography, something he’d always loved but never had time for. Fast forward a year, and John’s now a successful freelance photographer, doing what he loves and earning a living from it. His story is a testament to the power of accepting the universe and embracing the unexpected.

So, next time life throws you a curveball—big or small—try to embrace it. You might just find that what seems like a setback is actually a stepping stone to something greater.