What Does Some Of This Spiritual Shit Even Mean?

What Does Some Of This Spiritual Shit Even Mean?

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GRACE
ɡrās/
noun

1. Simple elegance or refinement of movement.
“she moved through the water with effortless grace”
synonyms: elegance, poise, gracefulness, finesse

2. (In Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

verb
3. Do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one’s presence.
“she bowed out from the sport she has graced for two decades”
synonyms: dignify, distinguish, honor, favor

“Go out into the world and be a source of Grace for people.”
~ Caroline Myss

Shit. That’s a tall order, right? I can’t do that. Be a source of Grace? What does that even mean? I read the definition and I’m still not sure.

You guys, are we out in the world being a source of grace — or are we a part of the problem?

The first definition made me blanche. It does not apply to me AT ALL.
My movements are as far from refined as I can be without calling too much attention to myself. Remember how Elaine danced on Seinfeld? That’s how I move through the world. Every step is void of poise, there is not a drop of elegance to be found, and as far as finesse goes? — forgetaboutit.

So…Am I the source of grace in that respect? No, no I am not. I am definitely part of the problem.

As far as definition three goes, well, I feel like when we can, when the stars align and we have some free time — we show up for people. We do our best.
Actually some of us drop everything and Grace certain people or places with our presence TO OUR DETRIMENT, or at least I used to. Now a days I’m super picky about to whom and where my Grace gets distributed.

So again I suppose I’m part of the problem, except…Just like fucks given, Grace can be depleted (in my opinion, the studies are inconclusive) — you can over extend, you can run out, and you only get what you get.

But unlike fucks, Grace CAN be replenished by other people bestowing their Grace upon YOU.

So there you have it, there’s what I think Caroline Myss meant by being a source of Grace for people.

Sprinkle it around, like fairy dust, like a tall drink of water to the parched masses.

Replenish each other.

You know the people in your life that need a re-fill.

And you can recognize them on the street.

They look pale and hollow eyed, over tired, over wrought, over stressed and more than likely over weight. In other words they are just plain over it.

Wait. I’m so confused. Blah, blah, Grace. Blah, blah, replenish each other. So how do we do that?

And there’s where definition number two comes into play.
Bestow your blessings.
Being a source of Grace is about bestowing your blessings, and blessings, unlike fucks and Grace, come in an unlimited supply.

Blessings look like volunteering yourself for babysitting or dog walking.

Blessings look like filling the refrigerator of a workaholic.

Blessings are about picking up the check or leaving a thirty percent tip.

Blessings can hold open a door, clean up a mess, fold laundry, hold a hand, drive carpool, give a foot message and bring the wine (two bottles please).

Blessing are bountiful.
Blessings are bottomless, and in my humble opinion, blessings and the bestowal of them is what being a source of Grace is all about.

So easy peasy, right? Not such a tall order after all.
Whew! Sometimes this spiritual shit sounds SO undoable.

Whatcha think? Any more ideas for being source of Grace for people? I’d love to hear from you guys!

Carry on,
xox

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5 Comments
  • Nancy says:

    I feel like grace (Grace) is about seeing others as their true higher selves, even when they aren’t showing it to you. It’s looking past the tough veneer to what’s underneath and responding to that. So when my husband is acting like a jackass, for example, I can notice that’s what’s really going on in that moment is that he’s worried about how we are going to make it through the month or that his daughter is on the other side of the country so he’s helpless to run over to her place to work on her computer problems. Shit like that. I can see past bad behavior to the frightened child beneath (particularly easy with people I love; harder with strangers sometimes). Since the name Nancy means Grace (which is what I wish they’d named me, but whatever), I’ve spent lots of time thinking about the word because it’s one of those terms that feels a little like nailing jello to a tree — it’s hard to pin down.

    All I know for sure is how I feel about it is that grace is exhibited when operating from a place of love not fear, and that if your attempting to manipulate the situation, you’ve missed the mark. Fear tries to control; love allows.

    My two sense for whatever it may or may not be worth. Good post!

    • jbertolus says:

      OMG Nancy! I fucking LOVE this!
      “Nailing jello to a tree” —LOVE — you are someone who is definitely out in the world being a source of grace for people! BTW – change your name to Grace, just saying’
      xoxJanet

  • dominator says:

    I like to practice the 30% tip blessing but my favorite is telling a complete stranger how beautiful they are.

Hi, I’m Janet

Mentor. Pirate. Dropper of F-bombs.

This is where I write about my version of life. My stories. Told in my own words.

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