My friend's face showed grace, vulnerable and childlike, as she wiped away a stream of tears, poised to eulogize her 65-year old Dad, who had been killed in a car accident. "My Dad raised me to have a balance of grace and grit," she shared. Her stature and presence revealed grit as she spoke with clarity and fortitude as the only daughter of a dearly loved man, whom she proudly called her father.
My first experience of her grit was when she chastened me for ruminating thoughts following a breakup. "Shake it off and keep on moving," she declared in passing as she dusted her shoulder of broken relationships and emotional pains which may have slowed her. Tragically, now, she would forever be shaken and moved to reflect upon the tapestry her father had woven to shape the woman she is today.
Grace - Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion
Grit - indomitable courage, toughness, or resolution
Grace and grit are the heroes of life's challenges. Grace is the chin-up propeller for a life of integrity, and grit is the hunker-down fuel to navigate rugged terrains. They are ingredients that make the choice to rise above fiercely determined when it would be easiest to shrink and fold. Still dizzied by an amusement park visit with my daughter, I reflect on the push and pull of our hands towards the array of colorful rides that promised to soothe or jolt us. If grace is the polished, steady ride on the cascading merry-go-round at the carnival of life, grit is the sweaty-palmed return to the back of the line for the harrowing rollercoaster of ups and downs, twists and turns, slow approaches and uncertain drops (Okay, so I see why my daughter wouldn't go on the rollercoaster!). Grace helps you to let go and rise gently to the occasion; grit helps you to hold on with vigor and conviction.
- Where is grace important in your life?
- Where do you need grit?
Dedicated to Dads who raise daughters with grace and grit and daughters who honor them by touching others with their spirit.
In my new house for a month, I was most relieved that my oversized couch fit into the television room so I can indulge in mindless entertainment with my feet up at the end of each day. Not one for details, I was especially grateful that a dear friend broadened my world beyond the couch and nightly crime drama with her housewarming visit. "Oh you have a pocket door!" she exclaimed as she explored the kitchen, pulling the pocket door from its hiding spot unnoticed by me. "I wonder if I have another one," I exclaimed excitedly rushing to the other side of the room to discover a corresponding pocket door with a shiny brass lock. "Oh, and I love your sink. Look at what the nozzle does!" as she freed it to squirt water on what will be the home of many dirty dishes. We later discovered a composter in the back yard and light switches that corresponded to an array of motion-detected lighting around the house.
My renewed curiosity led me to the front storm door whose window I learned to pull down to remove composting beetles and replenish the house with fresh air. Settling in, I had become all too settled, looking no further for amenities of our new digs that would allow us privacy, convenience, the ability to be environmentally conscious while nourishing beautiful plants and a bristling summer breeze.
Moving too quickly or complacent by comfort, we forge ahead in life, expecting the routine rather than making discoveries that can shape our life or attitudes differently. It is only through awareness (and good friends who point things out) that we can open doors to living rooms (in my case now) and new discoveries. I will be an avid explorer of my surroundings rather than a coach potato in my own life.
- When have you made a discovery - big or small - that changed your environment, relationships or perspective?
- Where can you go exploring in your life to find a new treasure?
- Who can help you to explore?
A toast to my subconscious and Discovery Vineyards, who capped off my week and reinforced this theme when I inadvertently bought this brand of wine at the grocery store.
