In a world full of differing perspectives, beliefs, and experiences, one of the greatest challenges we face is learning how to truly accept both ourselves and others—without judgment, without the need for agreement, and without losing ourselves in the process.
At its core, true acceptance is about recognising that our experiences are valid, and so are others’. It’s about understanding that just because someone hasn’t walked our path, felt what we’ve felt, or seen what we’ve seen, doesn’t mean our truth is any less real. And equally, their reality—shaped by their own life experiences—is just as valid as ours.
Many of us have spent years feeling the need to explain, justify, or prove our perspective—especially when faced with people who don’t see the world the way we do. There’s a deep frustration that can come when someone dismisses our lived experience, as if reality only exists in the way they perceive it.
But the real shift happens when we no longer need that external validation. When we approve of ourselves, we no longer require others to approve of us. We stop seeking agreement as a form of self-acceptance. We recognise that difference doesn’t mean invalidation—it just means uniqueness.
This is the foundation of a truly person-centred approach:
• I don’t need to change your mind to feel secure in my own.
• I don’t need you to see what I see in order for it to be real for me.
• I can hold space for your experience without it threatening mine.
One of the hardest lessons is realising that people can only hear a message when they are ready to receive it. No amount of explanation, logic, or passion will force someone to see what they’re not yet open to seeing. This is especially difficult when it comes to people we love—our children, our family, our friends.
It’s natural to want to wake people up, to help them understand what we’ve come to know. But just like you can’t plant a seed in frozen ground, you can’t force awareness before someone is ready. And trying to do so often leads to resistance, not understanding.
Instead, the most powerful thing we can do is embody what we believe. When we stop needing to convince, we actually create more space for others to become curious. People feel drawn to self-trust. When we sit firmly in our truth without pushing it on others, they may begin to wonder, What do they see that I don’t?
True acceptance isn’t about agreement—it’s about respect.
It means recognising that someone else’s experience doesn’t have to align with ours in order to be real. It means listening without the intent to change someone, just as we hope they will listen to us without the intent to change us.
This approach is the foundation of healing, growth, and meaningful connection. It’s what makes people feel safe. And in a world that often demands conformity, offering that kind of acceptance—to ourselves and to others—is a rare and powerful thing.
As you move through the world, notice where you feel the pull to prove or convince. Ask yourself:
“Do I need them to see it my way in order for my truth to remain true?”
If the answer is no, then you’re already embodying what it means to be truly person-centred.
And that, in itself, is enough.
Lets not forget – Everyone wants and needs to be seen and heard – When it comes to listening to other peoples their perspectives – making sure we are not leaving ourselves out of the judging…