Stop trying to change others-Why acceptance can lead to better relationships.

Is there a person in your life you wish you could change, more because you want to help improve their situation, or maybe the struggle with their behavior is becoming overwhelming or unbearable?

It's normal to wish that others were different, just like wanting you, yourself, to be different. It's OK to encourage or empower others in skillful and helpful ways. But problems come when we tip into righteousness, resistance, anger, fault-finding, badgering, or any other kind of conflict.

It's easy for us to try to impose our own values on others, thinking that we have more insight, or we might feel we care more about the person than they care about themself, and by sharing our insight and wisdom with them, they might change.

Changing one's behavior or mindset takes consistent effort and work over a long period of time. And the person has to want to change to make this happen.

Most people don't want to change. Change is not comfortable.

Accepting other people as they are is much easier when you understand that the only person you can truly change is yourself.

Acceptance of where other people are means ditching judgment and expectations of how you think people should act. When we accept others as they are, we give them the space to find their own path and learn their own truth.

Acceptance can earn a person's trust and break down barriers.

Acceptance does not mean we accept bad behavior from others. We have to choose who we allow into our life, and it's appropriate to set boundaries for those who cause us harm.

When there is no hidden agenda, they may open up and allow you to understand better WHY they are the way they are. Getting to know someone is the key to genuinely accepting someone. This may not lead to changes in that person, but maybe a change in perspective is what was actually needed. Changing your perspective is far easier than changing a person.

Consider how you feel when another person accepts you completely. It's a beautiful gift — and we can give it ourselves to others when we accept them. Imagine how your relationship with someone might blossom if that person felt you fully accepted them.