The Road to Acceptance

169 Pages·2011·1.04 MB·English

The Acceptance Guidebook
Spiritual Solutions for Active Minds
Praise for The Acceptance Guidebook

“Todd Schaefer is the best kind of spiritual teacher. He doesn‟t tell
us what to do or how to do it. Instead, with at times touching
vulnerability, he reminds us of our inherent value, empowers us to
surrender to the greater wisdom of our innate divinity and guides us
on the only journey that matters: toward accepting all of who we
are. A profound and enriching book.”
— Mark David Gerson, inspirational speaker, author/screenwriter
The MoonQuest and The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to
Write

“Todd Schaefer offers brilliant insights into the nature of the human
mind-labyrinth. The Acceptance Guidebook lights a lantern that
helps the reader to walk the labyrinth without endlessly bumping
into walls.”
— Tom Von Deck, Corporate Meditation Trainer, speaker and
author of Oceanic Mind – The Deeper Meditation Training Course

“Todd‟s journey is an inspiring testament to the divine power of
“letting go and letting God.” The Acceptance Guidebook is a work
of art, blessing the reader with deep spiritual meaning through
seemingly simplistic language. This book is jam-packed with
transformational insights and stories, encompassing prayer,
relationships, surrender, forgiveness, and much more in between.
Each time I open it for a read, whether things in life are good, bad,
or merely okay, I am graced with an inevitable sense of
contentment...an authentic presence of peace.”
— Nathan Anderson, author of A Good Dose of God: Everybody‟s
Best Friend
“Even the guided need guiding. This book appeals to all levels of
spirituality and expounds on what it truly means to be human; in all
aspects of compassion, success and wisdom. Todd effectively and
harmoniously splits the „black‟ and „white‟ of our belief system and
raises the „gray‟ to a heightened level of awareness and acceptance.
Todd‟s pearls of wisdom have helped me fulfill many of my personal
goals in overcoming anxiety and fears that I thought would carry on
for decades. A must read for anyone and everyone wanting to live a
full, happy and complete life!”
— Jennifer L. Fox, B.A. English Literature, Colby-Sawyer College,
Greenfield, NH

“The Acceptance Guidebook walks us through the shift from a
journey of unconscious living into a life of awareness. Todd offers
complex spiritual ideas that are simple to read and understand,
making them easy to apply to our lives. His gentle teachings,
personal observations and stories have created a book that carries
the intentions of a true teacher.”
— Julieanne Paige, founder, Be Inspired Today

“Todd Schaefer is definitely “on the path” and for my money has
“chosen the better part.” He has seen that the surrender to the
goodness intrinsic to a Divine Source and then emulating that
source is key to any success which follows that acceptance. Todd's
keen ability for deep thinking and objective observation will lead
you into your own insights as it did him. Todd‟s writing is a solid
contribution toward the unfoldment of more good here on earth
because it lauds individuality.”
— Pat Matson, teacher, The Walter Method
“Todd Schaefer has gifted the world with a book and knowledge that
shows us a path to true empowerment. Acceptance of where we are
in each moment is how we truly transcend to the next moment and
then to the one after that and ultimately to exist in a place of inner
peace. Todd's message is for teachers and students, for healers and
those who wish to be healed. It is something that rings true for
everyone who is walking a spiritual path of awakening.”
— Tricia Baehr, co-founder, Sweet Water Sustainability Institute,
Knoxville, TN

“The Acceptance Guidebook is one of the most human books I‟ve
ever read. When reading, I felt as if I was talking not only to a live
person but to my inner-self. Completely comprehensible, the text
offers a journey through our relationship with ourselves and the
world, creating a kinder, more compassionately observant you.
Whether it‟s judgment, fear or social conditioning, this book will
become a companion in guiding you into surrender, trust, and
conscious awareness.”
— Bryn Cartwright, Yoga teacher, Sound Therapist, CA

“Todd really gets to the essence of the matter of acceptance. He
gives you tools and techniques to make it happen and inspires you to
get in touch with the spiritual nature of your own self-acceptance. A
great read for anyone on the path of self-transformation.”
— Nicky Highlen, Owner and Chief Inspiration Officer of Your
Infinite Potential, LLC, Metamora, MI
“Relationships, surrender, forgiveness, acceptance – just four of
many outstanding topics in Todd‟s inspiring new book. I found his
personal experiences of living from the heart instead of his identity
very moving. It takes tremendous courage to be truly authentic; to
realize that everything we are looking for is already within us. We
are our own gurus. A wonderful traveling companion and road map
for anyone‟s journey and a great tool for those seeking self-
awareness, as well as fun, practical guidance on ways we can all
live a more magical life.”
— Gina Baksa, writer, Spirituality in Business Coach, London,
UK

“Todd writes an enlightening and inspirational book, writing of his
own personal spiritual journey and experience as a spiritual
teacher. He encourages us to look beyond our own ego and its
limitations to find our own truth, empowering us that we are more
than just the sum of our own ego and reminding us that we are
spiritual beings on a human journey. His book gives insight how to
embrace God within us and to experience humanity more positively
and get much more out of the human experience which we
experience day to day. The Acceptance Guidebook is an invaluable
resource however far you may be on your spiritual journey.”
— Steven Hardman, founder, Global Spiritual Awakening Network

“Todd Schaefer has created a nuanced, no-nonsense series of
lessons specifically intended for the restless spiritual seeker. He
understands the value of meeting the reader at his or her readiness
level, without compromising the potential impact of the message,
which is quite a trick. The Acceptance Guidebook often feels more
like an on-demand spiritual coach than a book, which should speak
volumes for its universal applicability. Highly recommended for
anyone ready and willing to fully embrace and accept themselves as
they move forward on their personal pathway, regardless of where
they perceive themselves to be, because acceptance is the key!”
— Kenny Jaworski, pianist, composer, St. Louis, MO
The Acceptance Guidebook: Spiritual Solutions for Active Minds
By Todd Schaefer

iUniverse Publishing
Bloomington, Indiana
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except
for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Copyright © 2011 by Todd Schaefer
First Edition, 2011
Published in the United States of America

For more information, visit the author website at:
www.acceptanceguidebook.com.
For Katherine
“We tend to develop abilities to make ourselves valuable, and
later we come to find that those things aren’t what make us
valuable.”
— Todd Schaefer
CONTENTS

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer
Introduction by the Author

Self-Acceptance
AUTOPILOT, SELF-WORTH AND BEING MYSELF
BEING A CONSCIOUS EXAMPLE

Allowing God
CONSCIOUS SPIRITUAL TEACHING AND SOURCE ALIGNED SERVICE
TIME FOR YOURSELF
EXPERIENCE THE RIPPLE
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
GOD’S THOUGHTS ARE REAL
HEART IS WHERE THE HOME IS
WALKING BEHIND TRUTH
HOW TO TRUST YOUR GUIDANCE

Healthy Boundaries
GUARDIAN ANGEL’S GUIDE TO DEALING WITH CHALLENGING
PEOPLE