Ateneo Bulatao Center

Acceptance, Commitment, and the Power of Mindfulness

Whenever we feel distressed, we have the tendency to run away or suppress our feelings to feel better. This, however, interferes with our ability to choose purposeful and values-guided actions. 

By engaging in mindfulness practices, we are able to accept our painful thoughts or feelings for what they are (just thoughts and feelings) and therefore establish a very different relationship with them. Rather than internalizing negative thoughts such as “I am a failure,” we instead become mindful that “I am having the thought that I am a failure.” In turn, we are able to identify and commit to values and behaviors that are truly important for us. 

Remember, happiness is not about fleeting moments of elation, but living out one’s beliefs and values.

Keywords: Mindfulness; Awareness; Values; Happiness

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