What's grace got to do with it?

Lately (and in times long gone) I've been having conversations with people (face to face and online) that have left me impressed by the grace they show in their lives, and especially to those who are acting most ungraciously towards them.

Grace is an old-fashioned word - one that I wish we heard, practiced and experienced more often.

For the record, grace, according to the trusty Collins Dictionary on my bookcase means:  (1) elegance and beauty of movement, form or expression; (2) a pleasing or charming quality; (3) courtesy or decency. What could be better than being known as gracious?

I always feel so good after being with someone who has the quality of being gracious, particularly in situations that are highly pressurised and emotionally challenging. It makes me want to applaud them, or at least hug them and let them know that I see this quality in their souls, and it makes me want to emulate them.

I'm told that my name has Hebrew origins and means 'full of grace' and I've always thought of this as some kind of cosmic joke, as I can be exceedingly ungracious. (For the record, I have moments of grace, where I remember that I don't have all the information and it wouldn't kill me to just breathe before reacting. May they increase!)

Grace can be experienced in a myriad of small ways that really can make your day brighter, if you take time to notice them (or practice it).

Just the other day I was at the local shops and two people treated me graciously in small but meaningful ways - a man stepped aside for me so I could get through the tables in the food court, then a woman let me go before her at the supermarket check-out.

These small acts of grace made my day, and as I reflect on them now, I'm smiling and thinking, for every moron out there (see - not so gracious), there are also lovely, gracious people in the world.

Two particular friends of mine are showing amazing grace (sorry about that) in their lives at the moment, coping with big issues, and without outing them specifically, I just want to say - more power to you ladies, keep your heads up, you're doing so well and I'm really proud of you. I believe your rewards are coming.

So why this post? Well really, I just need to remember that people can be beautiful, gracious, honest creatures and I am SO DAMN LUCKY to know some of you personally. Maybe my name thing isn't a cosmic joke but a challenge to rise to.... stay tuned and wish me luck.

And so, stealing from Ellen's sign off - be kind to each other. And a little bit gracious too.


Annette x