Shifting grace <3

First of all How are you? Not the passing "fine" answer we often give when asked that question. But really, truly, deep down.....how are you? Are you struggling? Feeling sad or angry? Frustrated with a lack of progress or with something in your life that seems to be outside of your control? Are you crushing it? Feeling excited or grateful or joyful? Loving this life you are living?

Whatever your answer was - I see you. I see your tears whether from sadness or excitement. I am cheering for you and I am praying for you.

Isn't it crazy to think that in this moment someone is experiencing devastating loss AND someone is having the most amazing joyous experience? I remember when my mom passed away I somehow thought everyone was devastated and mourning. I couldn't comprehend a world where there was still laughter, joy, excitement. That was the world I was living in and anything different than that was just too much. But the reality is that life continues on......whether we participate or not. The other reality is that we are capable of holding two emotions and not fracturing. We can mourn the loss of someone AND find joy in the spring flowers. We can hold anger at a cruel and unfair circumstance AND love our people so fiercely. It's the gift of being human.

Which brings me to grace. We tend to give grace to others as though is runs through our veins but hold it as a "reward" for ourselves. I know you've heard the sayings about giving the grace you so freely give to others to yourself and I 100% believe in that but I also wonder if we were to shift how we saw grace if that would become a much easier choice. So I ask you - what is grace to you? When is it needed? Why is it needed?

What if we took the stance that grace isn't about what we can do for others or even for ourselves but rather it is a way of being, of existing? Asked another way what if we held grace at all times not circumstantially? You and I both know people whom already live this way and they seem genuinely happier. They are the people who say things like "that's not my story to tell" or "I think people are doing the best they can in the moment" or "I am choosing to check in with myself to see why this is feeling so big right now." No mention of grace as though it's a qualifier for being kind to people. Just simply a way of being.

Here's to being willing to learn & grow. To being open to life's possibilities. To choosing to heal. To being incredibly you. You ARE incredible. <3.

xoxoxoxo

Sarah