Accepted (adj) generally viewed as being valid or true; welcomed

Excepted (adj) not included

To be accepted is to receive an affirmation of belonging.  I believe it is human nature to want to belong, whether it is to a group of peers, friends, team, church, etc., there is a desire to be part of something.  If you meet the parameters of the group, you might be accepted.  Whether stated or assumed, there may be boundaries.  The best acceptance is when there are no limitations – come as you are and be a part of the whole.

Excepted is to be excluded, left out, the complete opposite of accepted.  Excepted is exclusion – I want this one; I don’t want that one.  I choose you; I’m overlooking you.  The classic schoolyard team pick; gosh, I hated those!  Too many times it was the popular kids being chosen first.  I wasn’t the last, but darn near close to.  I felt bad for those who were the last.  I always had the brave face, smiling and cheering on the chosen while feeling less then, simply because of the silly ranking and choices of a few.

Close your eyes for a moment.  Say each word.  Accepted.  Excepted.  Is there a mental picture that pops into your brain?  For me, I see the palm-open hand extended, pushing away for excepted.  For accepted, I visualize open arms.  Excepted is distancing.  Accepted is welcoming.  Excepted means a part from.  Accepted means finding a place.

Boundaries come from humans.  Whether derived culturally or inherited those parameters can easily cause division, distrust and anger. Pure acceptance is divine-based.  Come as you are; no one is better than the other; all are welcome. 

Acceptance starts with the loving yourself first.  Accept yourself completely, as you are.  Are you flawed?  Probably – we all are in some way.  Are you worthy of love? Yes, regardless of the path you’ve traveled – we all deserve to be loved.  Are you capable of forgiveness?  This one is tougher.  We’re all capable of forgiving; some of us find it more difficult to put it into practice.  Once done, there is an incredible freedom in the release.  It takes more energy to resent and fume than to release and love.  I think part of that, is because there is an underline joy that results from forgiveness.  Accepting is part of that forgiveness process.  

Excepted and accepted, which one will you put into practice today?