Grace

My T gave me an assignment for this weekend. He wants me to think about "grace". He says that I am very "grace"-ful towards other people, but that I don't apply that same grace to myself. He wants me to think about that.

My only experience with "grace" is in various Anne Lamott books - she's the only example I have of someone applying "grace" to themselves.

I asked if he meant forgiveness, but I know it's not really the same thing.

I don't know. Any thoughts?

Maybe your T is speaking of kindness, gentleness and yes, even forgivness towards yourself. Acceptance that you're not perfect and that, if you don't meet your own expectations of yourself, to know that in the future you will do better. Don't punish yourself by beating yourself up with your "self talk". How do you speak to yourself? Do you berate yourself or do you say, "next time I'll do better."

For me, Grace from God is "unmeritted favor". It was a really hard concept for me to wrap my brain around. Now I know that He loves me regardless of my unthoughtful behavior or falling short of the mark, whatever that mark may be.

Hope that helps.

Divine grace, that which comes from God and is our example, is His display of unmerited favor. It is directly related to His forgiving us when we don't deserve forgiveness. It means undeserving kindness.

It appears that your T may have meant that you are most forgiving of other people's faults, being kind to them even when they don't deserve it. You may extend a hand of friendship, and peacefulness to others, whether you find them likable or not, or whether they are doing things you approve of or not.

Do you see how you can show yourself such favor in life? I think in slang it means: give yourself some slack!

Thanks Sky and SeptemberMorn. that DOES help.

I have a lot to think about this weekend.

Glad to be of some help.

I'm not quite sure what 'grace' means. When I hear the word, I guess I think of the song 'amazing grace'. I see how that fits in with what Sky said :-)

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind but now I see."

Amen to that! That's it, exactly!

"Amazing Grace", one of my all time favorites!

here's a link if you would like to listen to oneof my favorite versions of the song!