Grace

Description

Grace is our connection to the Divine, a sense that we are loved and provided for in all circumstances. It is opening ourselves to bounty. Grace inspires us to give unconditional love to others. When we are gracious and elegant, others are drawn to our company. With grace, we can turn every communication and relationship into a thing of beauty. We grow in grace when we treat others with dignity, kindness, and exquisite courtesy, and whenever we forgive. As we connect deeply with grace, we become the presence of grace to others.

 The Practice of Grace

• I trust Grace to carry me through times of trouble.
• I am open to abundance.
• I bless others with my tenderness.
• I am gracious in my attitudes and actions.
• I am willing to forgive.
• I think, move, and speak with gentleness and courtesy.

Definitions and practices of virtue are used with permission from the Virtues Project™.

In Family Life

The virtue of grace in a family is most prominently demonstrated through a culture of empathy, understanding, and forgiveness. It manifests in family members supporting and uplifting each other, even in challenging times. Grace means offering love and acceptance without judgment, allowing individuals to be authentic without fear of rejection.

It involves active listening, open communication, and a willingness to resolve conflicts with compassion and compromise rather than resentment. In a graceful family, mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, and forgiveness is freely given, fostering an environment of trust and emotional safety where each member can flourish and find solace in the bonds of their loved ones.

Balancing Grace

Balancing Virtues:

• • • Humility: Humility balances overdeveloped grace by grounding us in humility, reminding us of our humanity and the importance of actively engaging with the world.
    • Compassion: Compassion counteracts underdeveloped grace by fostering empathy, understanding, and a willingness to extend kindness and forgiveness to others.
    • Authenticity: It helps maintain balance by encouraging genuine, heartfelt interactions rather than superficial displays of grace, ensuring that our actions align with our true values and intentions.

These balancing virtues can help us navigate life’s complexities with elegance, kindness, and genuine warmth, becoming not only recipients but also ambassadors of divine grace in our interactions with the world.