My life has been a bit topsy turvy over the past few weeks. I have been in transition, dealing with complex and difficult realities of failure--while still planning for a hope-full future. Sometimes the dream and the reality collide with a jolt that jars us to the core. When that happens, what sustains us? Here is what is sustaining me: the giving and receiving of grace and compassion.
These two words get thrown around a great deal. Sometimes they are used with shame and guilt. It's always a bit messy and human. The humanity of the practice is the beauty. Let's approach them today with love and presence. When we try to be present, we must slow down, put down devices, and just be in the moment. This is really difficult in the beginning. It scares me, but it's so worth it. Part of it is learning to really listen. And sometimes to just be still and quiet. Trying to do this require a generous amount of grace and compassion toward ourselves. We are a great person with whom to begin pouring grace and compassion into the world.
And then when we get a bit of grace and compassion into our own soul, we are ready to turn toward the people who are in our life. We can begin anywhere. Being slow to to react, respond and judge is a great space. Rather than putting down the other, the question to ask is what may I contribute to improve this situation. Sometimes the answer is nothing. If there is no obvious answer than continue to move slowly forward. We don't need all the answers!
So my blessing for us all today: May we all have the courage to be present. May we basque in grace and compassion, and as they overflow from our souls, may we sprinkle the abundance wherever the journey takes us. May we be slow place demands but quick to listen. May we find our lives more beautiful because of the interactions with the world around us.
And since I've been missing FREEBIE FRIDAY, here is a little inspiration poster for your week!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B98mbYRaEywlM19XM1dyMzFzZTg