Grace

A few weeks ago, I committed to writing a blog a week, as a step in enlarging my practice and engaging more people, as well as a way to deepen my own spiritual practices. I picked Wednesday, since that was what day it was.

Then I wrote on Friday, because I was inspired. Which is sort of what I was trying not to do. We can't always be inspired. Sometimes we have to slog through. I forgot to set the date for the next Wednesday. Oh well.

Last week, I didn't write at all. This is not a fortuitous start.

I admit I have had a bout of despair-lite. I'm such a loser. I never finish anything. Why bother?

And then, I realized that I needed Grace. Not Grace, the personal organizer, although that's not a bad thought. I needed to forgive myself, give myself a hug and a cookie, and try again. I need to sigh, smile, and start again. I need to give myself the Grace I would give my children, or the rest of my family, or my friends.

We all need Grace. It's not necessarily about God, although in my faith, Grace comes from God. In my heart, Grace comes from the Holy Spirit through me to myself and others. It's about treating ourselves and strangers as if they were our friends. Cutting each other a break.

We often say "Love your neighbor as you love yourself," and then we ask about the neighbor. We don't ask "Do I love myself?" "Do I treat myself well? Do I cut myself a break? Or do I beat myself up about every little mistake? Do I lie in bed remembering the mistake I made in the third grade spelling bee and mumbling 'dumb, dumb, dumb'?"

Grace is a hug and a cookie for all of us imperfect humans. Give Grace to others. Give Grace to yourself.