"Acceptance is not love. You love a person because he or she has lovable traits, but you accept everybody just because they're alive and human"
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Albert Ellis's quote draws a sharp distinction in between the principles of love and acceptance, suggesting that while both are positive attitudes we can hold towards others, they occur from various motivations and serve various functions.
Love, as Ellis presumes, is selective and is basically connected to the characteristics or behaviors of the person who is loved. When we enjoy someone, it is frequently due to particular qualities that we like or "lovable". This could include aspects of their personality, shared values, common interests, or the way they make us feel. In this sense, love is naturally discriminating. It is an affection and deep attachment that establishes since of our personal connection and resonance with the other person's qualities.
Acceptance, on the other hand, is unconditional. It does not depend on the other person possessing any particular traits that we find appealing. Approval is an acknowledgment of somebody's fundamental human worth, regardless of their actions, appearances, or habits. Ellis recommends that acceptance must be granted to all people just because they share the essential condition of living and human. Acceptance is recognizing the shared humankind across all people, regardless of the distinctions in character, beliefs, or actions.
By marking love from acceptance, Ellis implies that while love is an emotional connection that can bring individuals better, acceptance is a more comprehensive ethical stance. It encourages tolerance, understanding, and empathy at a universal level. Notably, Ellis's point of view welcomes us to reflect on how we relate to others-- acknowledging that while our capability to love may be restricted to a few, our capacity for approval must be all-encompassing.
This approach to acceptance as an essential human practice motivates cultivating kindness and perseverance, aiding in minimizing disputes and promoting peace. While we may struggle to find love for every individual we fulfill, Ellis asserts that approval is a foundation of shared human experience and self-respect.
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