Acceptance often gets misunderstood.

It’s mistaken for giving up, settling, or pretending that things don’t matter. But real acceptance is none of those things. It’s not about liking everything as it is. It’s about making peace with what’s real so we can move forward without carrying unnecessary weight.

There’s something almost ironic about “growth.” We talk about it as if it’s always about fixing what’s broken or transforming what’s not enough.

One most people overlook is that growth often begins with what’s already functioning well.

Connections are the threads that weave life together—relationships with our children, students, partners, colleagues, friends, and even ourselves. And just like habits, not all connections deserve to continue in the same form.

Here’s the truth: some relationships can energize us, and others can quietly drain us.