I’ve found myself disappointed a lot over the last few weeks. Nothing major, just little things that happen and leave me feeling like I am letting the world down and the world is letting me down. I was getting this feeling over and over – and getting so frustrated. So, I stopped and took a minute to think about what was really getting to me.
After giving it some thought, it finally occurred to me that I was holding everyone, including myself, to some very high standards, but I wasn’t giving any grace.
high standards require grace…
I don’t think high standards are a bad thing. There’s no reason to have your goals and dreams be mediocre, when they can be great. And same for your friends, co-workers, and others around you. Of course you want the good ones, not the “meh” ones. What’s the point of a friend who is only “meh?”
But there has to also be grace. Grace is defined as elegance and refinement sometimes, but what I mean is more the definition of grace that means you give others a benefit of the doubt and courtesy without them necessarily having done something to merit that. That’s what I mean here.
no one owes you their story…
No one owes you their story. If they share their walk through life with you, that’s a gift. But we are all trudging through this world, doing the best we can at this moment in time. If I am frustrated by someone else, I have to give them some grace. I don’t know what they are going through, but it’s probably hard. Life is hard.
If I am annoyed with myself, it’s even harder to give myself some grace. I know my story. I know my excuses. But I also know that beating myself up isn’t going to do any good. I need to love myself the best I can for who I am in this moment. And then try again.
dogs embody grace…
You know how I remind myself what grace is? I look at my dogs. As much as they want my love, my attention, my food, and my warm spot on the couch, they also give me so much grace. Got a little cranky with one of them? No biggie. Let’s go play! Didn’t get out on a walk with one of them when I meant to? Eh, there’s always next time.
Dogs embody grace. They forgive humans for little, inconsiderate acts; they forgive humans for unspeakable brutality. They show us every day how to live with grace. If only we could learn to watch and follow their example a little more….