Page 63 - Horizons Manual

Radical Acceptance
Acceptance means understanding. When you accept something, you see it for what it really is.
Acceptance does not mean you like it or agree with it. Acceptance just means you understand that it is what it is.
It can be hard to accept a difficult situation or feeling. When you fight the reality of how things are it makes things even harder for you.
EXAMPLE: Jackson’s group home has a rule that he must be in bed by 10:00 pm. Jackson does not like this rule. He does not like being told what to do. Every night at 8:30 pm, Jackson starts telling staff that he will not go to bed by 10:00pm. He often gets in a fight with staff about the rule, and says, “It’s not fair, I’m an adult and can make my own decisions.” Jackson gets privileges taken away when he does not follow the rule. He knows that this rule will not change, but he still argues about it every night.
Jackson spent a lot of time and energy fighting the 10:00pm bedtime rule. Was his time and energy spent well? _____________________
Did his fighting change the rule? ________________________
How do you think Jackson felt when he fought the rule every night? _______________________________________________________
Distress Tolerance
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