The ballerina pirouettes until stilled in her partner’s embrace. With his support, she leaps toward heaven and floats to the stage. As the curtain swings to a close, she rushes in front of her partner to blow kisses at her fans. The audience acclaims her as graceful, flinging roses at her feet while the other dancer collects only the chill of her shadow.
A brother pokes his sisters as they race to their chairs around the dining table. One sister whines. The other kicks him. Momma swats Bubba’s hand and Sissy’s rump. Cries erupt from both. Papa roars a threat, demanding silence while he says grace.
Whether defined as elegant movement or a rote prayer, grace falls short when limited to the surface. Hollow grace lacks the integrity to kindle the heart. Rhythm and gratitude sing eloquently when erupting from the soul. Becoming an influencer, one who inspires others to live more fully, requires cultivating character of grace, not just saying it.
A grace-filled nature requires instilling the following key elements:
Humility
Confident poise contraindicates arrogance. Humility casts no shame upon self or others. Our best traits shine when we acknowledge our assets as a shared gift. Grace dances in formation with fellow artists, enjoying the light together as we accomplish a collective goal.
Kindness
Nobility demonstrates compassion and generosity to those who need it, heaping extra grace upon those who deserve it least. Maturity of character demands kindness. While we must set healthy boundaries to protect others from toxic patterns, we can flavor our attitudes and actions with kindness. A person of grace remains vigilant in guarding her heart against selfishness.
Serenity
Peace rarely arrives by happenstance. The human defaults trend life toward chaos, worry, and conflict. Serenity requires intentional maintenance. Those aspiring to develop a character of grace must trim away bustle, exchange worry for hope, and strive toward diplomacy. Daily stress management is mandatory, as is preserving white space in the schedule. Life giving activities and down time rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit and allow us to bring blessings to the world around us. To exude grace, we must fill our souls with nourishing inspiration and rest.
Gratitude
Thankfulness heals us. Research proves the correlation, but cannot fully explain why. Gratitude also serves as the perfect antidote for fear and selfishness. It dispels negativity and shifts the mindset to redefine us as bearers of light. Thankfulness shapes us into the best version of ourselves, thereby empowering us to deliver positive effects upon those around us.
Will you join me in the quest to grow in grace? Share your thoughts about weaving more humility, kindness, serenity, or gratitude into your days. I look forward to reading your comments.
Be Encouraged,
Tina
