
"I do not at all understand the mystery of grace -
only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.
Anne Lamott
Often when we are setting an intent for our lives, we ask that it manifest “with grace”. Here are a few ways we can find grace--or allow it to find us.
Cultivate trust in yourself, in your belief system, in your life. No one can control everything. Whatever you believe, trust that the information and resources you need are being made available to you.
Be open to things working out differently than you anticipated. Even though you may have a firm idea of what is best for you, life (grace) may have other plans. And those other plans may be far better than anything you could have imagined.
Let go of negative emotions like fear, anger and guilt. These emotions muddle thinking and exhaust personal energy. If you need to forgive, either yourself or others, work on that. If you have unresolved issues with your past, get help dealing with them. Staying stuck in negativity makes it harder to recognize grace when it appears.
Be of service to others. Allow that service and those you serve to grace your life by widening your horizons, expanding your tolerance and making you a force for grace in the world
Lastly, practice gratitude for gratitude is a way to invite grace into your life. Start by naming your blessings. Some people find a gratitude journal helpful, others practice by making a point to notice 6 things a day for which they are thankful. Find what works for you, then practice consistently.
Too often, we recognize grace only in hindsight. Looking back, we may trace the winding path of a casual remark which led to new career, the book that expanded our consciousness, or the detour from our daily routine which brought us a new relationship. The practices above can help us become aware of grace in the present, in the here and now. And as our awareness of grace expands, so do the opportunities for receiving it.
only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.
Anne Lamott
Often when we are setting an intent for our lives, we ask that it manifest “with grace”. Here are a few ways we can find grace--or allow it to find us.
Cultivate trust in yourself, in your belief system, in your life. No one can control everything. Whatever you believe, trust that the information and resources you need are being made available to you.
Be open to things working out differently than you anticipated. Even though you may have a firm idea of what is best for you, life (grace) may have other plans. And those other plans may be far better than anything you could have imagined.
Let go of negative emotions like fear, anger and guilt. These emotions muddle thinking and exhaust personal energy. If you need to forgive, either yourself or others, work on that. If you have unresolved issues with your past, get help dealing with them. Staying stuck in negativity makes it harder to recognize grace when it appears.
Be of service to others. Allow that service and those you serve to grace your life by widening your horizons, expanding your tolerance and making you a force for grace in the world
Lastly, practice gratitude for gratitude is a way to invite grace into your life. Start by naming your blessings. Some people find a gratitude journal helpful, others practice by making a point to notice 6 things a day for which they are thankful. Find what works for you, then practice consistently.
Too often, we recognize grace only in hindsight. Looking back, we may trace the winding path of a casual remark which led to new career, the book that expanded our consciousness, or the detour from our daily routine which brought us a new relationship. The practices above can help us become aware of grace in the present, in the here and now. And as our awareness of grace expands, so do the opportunities for receiving it.