Month of Focus: The 21 Rules of Life - Rule #1: Accept everything just the way it is (2024)

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” Lao Tzu

The first rule in the 21 rules of life by Miyamoto Musashi is, “accept everything just the way it is”.

This first rule took me quite a bit of time for it to sink in because it goes against my growth mindset.

However, it is actually on point if you take into consideration the mindset, the time, and the lifestyle of Miyamoto.

For a warrior or solider, singularity of focus is of extreme importance to succeed and survive on the battle field. You cannot allow your mind to drift to tomorrow or what happened in the past - you have to accept the current reality that you are in with laser sharp focus. For leaders and followers, there will always be a decision that is made above our pay grade that no matter how much we dislike it or think it’s counterproductive, we have to execute.

Sometimes people spend too much of their time and energy trying to fight against a change or against their environment. There will be times when we should not accept things as they are, especially if there is something we can immediately change. But in reality, most of time the only thing we can change is our mindsets. People spend a great deal of energy focusing on things that are above their capability to change or influence.

Somethings and some situations are best for us to go with the flow and accept things as they are for the moment. Accepting something for the moment doesn’t mean you should never aspire to make a change, it just means you have to play the strategic game. Which means go with the flow now and when you are presented with an opportunity and you are ready to capitalize on that moment, Carpe Diem!

There is so much we can learn by being patient by allowing some things to just naturally unfold. Also remember we can make things so much worst for ourselves and others by resisting.

We will close this post with these wise words to remind us that sometimes we should just allow things to be, “For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.”- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Stay Blue & Gold!!!...