Sunday in the Church of the Outback: Acceptance

Apr 8, 2019 | Uncategorized | 8 comments

Acceptance - Sunday in the Church of the Outback: Acceptance

It’s Sunday in this little Outback dot on the map called Silverton, NSW. We woke up today to chittering apostlebirds, said to be so named because they go around in groups of 12.

Eight days from home and I’ve been experiencing the discordance of being cut loose from moorings, such as work and house and routines. Some good things about our road trip west: having adventures, seeing new landscapes, tasting new foods cooked deliciously in the out-of-doors.

Best of all so far is a new insight I had. Seventy-four years old and I’m still learning. Admittedly, maybe my realisation is something that most people already know. That some may have already come into the world knowing.

This new insight is related to a saying that my dear friend Heather subscribes to: there’s nothing wrong here. Meaning we don’t have to fix this.

In the past, I’ve argued with her. How can what you believe be true, I’ve said? There are famines and wars and a big fat climate crisis!

But she hasn’t budged.

So here’s my insight, a gift of being on the road in the vast space of the state’s western desert, where the night sky is visible from horizon to horizon.

Don’t assume that what happens was not meant to happen. Don’t think that things were meant to turn out differently than they did. Suffering comes from the expectation of a different outcome and not accepting things are the way they are.

I don’t think this view means I will end up being resigned to the sadness of the world, maybe only that I will have a little more perspective and contentment in myself.

Do let me hear from you while I am carvanning through NSW, South Australia, Northern Territory, and Queensland. It will be so lovely to have you along on this trip.

8 Comments

  1. Lovely post Eve. My daughter has taught me so much regarding acceptance.Im still learning! Enjoy your outback experience.

    Reply
    • Thank you, Adele. I’m sure you have taught your daughter many important lessons too 🙂

      Reply
  2. ‘There’s nothing wrong here’ and ‘Don’t assume that what happens was not meant to happen’. I am almost 70 and learning too and these are statements I will meditate on. Deserts are profound and I am enjoying your journey with you.

    Reply
    • Thanks, Jan. I feel so blessed to be here now. In awe and appreciation!

      Reply
  3. Hi Eve
    Out walking the other day a thought arose in me…… that everything is imperfect in some way and particularly everyone I know and love …. all of us. That there is no need to struggle with this when our understandings, perspectives don’t match. It felt like contentment mixed with gratitude that we’re just all in it together sharing as best we can in any moment in time.

    Reply
    • The challenge is always to turn insights into actions, Kate.
      Good luck to us in doing that!

      Reply
  4. How travel is wonderful for these shifts in perspective and being. My head can hold that notion well usually, my heart and spirit are less steady with it but always gladdened when reminded by Heather’s mantra.

    Reply
  5. Eve, always enjoy your writings very much. The notion that we have to fix things has been hard learned by me……but finally I get it and it feels rather liberating and the flow on of accepting things the way they are lightens the load. I was out at Cameron’s Corner and up to Innamincka last May. That area was desparately dry but very beautiful with its vastness….as you said a night sky horizon to horizon. I too have learned many insights from my beautiful daughter. Enjoy your time out west. Namaste

    Reply

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