Today I want to talk about grace. No, not your Grandmother or Great-Aunt, or the prayer you say before a meal. I mean the grace of “beauty or charm of form, movement, or expression; good will” (Webster’s English Dictionary).
When you’re dealing with crisis or advocating for yourself or a loved one, there is a certain amount of grace that you must have. Difficult situations call for reaching beyond our normal selves and our regular reactions. They require us to find that extra special something hidden deep inside: our Graceful part.
Grace is that finesse or tact that you have. The way you carry and handle yourself when faced with adversity. Some have it, some do not. It’s a blessing not to be taken for granted. If you have it, it’s likely you’ve been told something like: “you have such grace about you;” “you really have grace under pressure;” or “that was a graceful way to handle that sticky situation, well done!”
Grace is something to be proud of and thankful for. It’s also something to strive for.
It’s how we behave when we are coming from our kindest inner being. It’s when we can see past the difficulty of the immediate situation to the greater issue. It’s when we can see the good in things and lead others toward it.
Grace is a special time and place all its own. It’s a kinder gentler way of being.
It’s that beauty that you see in people or things that defy description but you feel it none the less. It’s illusive, yet real.
If we could all strive to find this place more often what a wonderful world this would be!
One of the most remarkable times to find it is in crisis. It’s scarce and yet, strangely enough, that is when many of us do. Once we transcend past the lower emotions of anger and fear and we look toward positive resolution and making lemonade out of the lemons we can act from a place of grace.
I challenge you, for just one day, to pay attention to the little acts of grace around you. Pay attention to simple acts of grace you can contribute and to point out to others the grace they display. When we pay attention to it, it becomes more real. When we draw others to pay attention to it, they are awakened to its presence.
One by one, we can shake things up, encourage grace in ourselves and others and make this world a better, kinder, more gentle and loving place.
With that said, I’ll include a “Grace” here that is the type you can use before dinner or a meeting where you share an invocation. It goes along with what’s written here and sums up a beautiful place to be. I’m not sure where it came from, so if one of you does know where, please let me know and I’ll be happy to give the credit for this beautiful grace to the one who so deserves it. Here you go:
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.”
If that doesn’t say grace, I don’t know what does!
May your God bless and keep you, until we meet again.
Fondly,
Donna