Ad astra per aspera

Through hardships to the stars—this timeless phrase has never felt more fitting.

Acceptance is not something that comes naturally to most of us. We're taught to strive, to push, to fight for what we want and what we believe we deserve. But sometimes life throws us into situations where fighting isn't the answer—where the greatest strength lies in surrendering, not to defeat, but to understanding.

For me, this lesson became clear when I was diagnosed with cancer.

In the beginning, I resisted everything about my diagnosis. I wanted to live the way I always had, ignoring the limitations my body was trying to impose. I refused to nap, pushed through fatigue, and held onto my long to-do lists as if they were proof of my worth. But my body—and life itself—had other plans.

Learning to Listen

Acceptance began with listening. Not the kind of listening where you hear someone's words and then brush them off, but the deep, attentive kind that acknowledges and honors what's being said. My body was speaking to me, pleading for rest, and I finally decided to listen. It wasn't easy. For someone who'd spent their life measuring productivity as the ultimate goal, taking a nap in the middle of the day felt like a failure. But with time, I began to see it for what it really was: self-care.

The Mental Shift

The hardest part of acceptance wasn't physical—it was mental. It meant letting go of the version of myself I thought I needed to be and embracing the version of me that was present now. I've learned that acceptance doesn't mean giving up; it means shifting focus. Instead of fighting against my limitations, I've learned to work with them. If my body needs rest, I rest. If I'm having a low-energy day, I give myself the grace to do less. It's not laziness—it's wisdom.

The Freedom in Letting Go

Here's the surprising thing about acceptance: it's freeing. When I stopped resisting my reality, I found a peace I didn't think was possible. Instead of focusing on what I couldn't do, I began to appreciate what I could. Some days, that's as simple as enjoying my cup of coffee without rushing or taking the time to watch the birds and squirrels outside my window. These small joys, once overlooked, have become treasures. I find so much amusement in watching the squirrels' antics—they are hysterically funny—and seeing all the other wildlife creatures that visit my backyard. It has become a place of joy and connection for me. And then there's Bubu, my beloved dog—the love of my life, the apple of my eye. Our walks together have become one of my greatest sources of joy. Watching him play with branches, sniff around with endless curiosity, and curl up beside me as we watch TV fills my heart with gratitude. His companionship reminds me daily of the simple, unconditional love that makes life so much richer.

A Personal Lesson

Acceptance has been a recurring theme in my life, not just in the face of cancer but in many other moments. When I was 16 years old, my dad passed away, and I was left alone to navigate life on my own. There was no time to choose how I wanted to respond—I had to keep living, working, and trying to make a life with what little I had. Back then, I didn't know I was practicing a form of acceptance. I was surviving.

Even in those moments, the act of continuing, of finding small ways to move forward, taught me the seeds of what I'm still learning now: acceptance isn't about giving up. It's about adapting. It is the essence of Ad astra per aspera—moving through hardships to reach something greater.

A Universal Lesson

While my experience is deeply tied to living with cancer, the art of acceptance is something everyone can benefit from. We all face moments when life doesn't go as planned. Whether it's a career setback, a relationship challenge, or a health issue, acceptance allows us to stop fighting the current and start finding our flow.

It's not about giving up dreams or aspirations; it's about adjusting the lens through which we see them. Acceptance gives us the clarity to understand that even if the path looks different than we imagined, it can still lead to something beautiful.

Embracing What Is

Acceptance doesn't happen overnight. It's a process—one that requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to let go of control. But once you take that first step, you'll find that it's not about losing yourself. It's about discovering a version of yourself that's stronger, wiser, and more at peace.

So, let's give ourselves permission to rest, to breathe, to simply be. In doing so, we might just find that acceptance isn't a burden—it's a gift.

Because at the end of the day, we're shaped by our experiences, but we are never solely defined by them.

Please spread the love, share this blog, and stay in touch.

See you in my next post!

With love,

Malena 🌿✨