Mindful Monday Word-Graceful
Graceful. I’d like to believe that we each know a person or persons who just oozes out grace? And, I bet that you admire them? How does one acquire grace? I believe that this is one attribute that needs to be practiced in order for it to become a part of who you are. For example, you may find it difficult to forgive someone who has done you wrong? When in the long run, this person has moved on and probably doesn’t give it a second thought. However, you on the other hand are brewing and letting a situation or words eat away at you. This is not healthy! You lose focus during your day, you find it difficult to trust others and you’re so bothered by this that you may even be losing sleep over it. Don’t! If you find that you’ve had a conversatin with the person and the situation isn’t going to change, forgive them. Be graceful. It’s easier said than done in most cases, however, it’s the healthiest thing to do for the both of you. We’ve all been hurt to the extent that you just don’t care if you ever have a relationship with this person again. Give yourself grace, it’s truly alright if you feel like that, just don’t let it take away who you are or ruin your day. What you are here to do needs your full attention. This is something that takes time to be comfortable with and is well worth practicing.
But, how do we teach a child to be graceful? I’m not talking about light on their feet kind of grace, but, having gratitude in their day and showing grace to others. First and foremost, YOU are their role model and how you react to people and situations is being watched. Be a role model. Two weeks ago my daughter and I were in a car accident and totaled the car, but, we walked away with only bruises and the other car without a scratch. I am giving myself grace as there was no Mindful Monday Blog last week and this week there isn’t a free resource to print out. Forgive me? This is another example of graceful behavior.
I have a few ideas on how you can teach your own children how to be graceful:
Teach Gratitude
This is important that your children see you being grateful for the people in your life, and how you react with others. Are you grateful for these? If so, it will show in your words and your relationships. Your child will model these.
Write Thank You notes.
If a person takes time to gift you something, you should acknowledge them and the gift. A Thank you note is always appreciated and means as much to them as the gift does to you.
Write in a Gratitude Journal.
Having a gratitude journal is so beneficial on many levels. It brings to you a clearer awareness of all the beauty that surrounds you on a daily basis. Plus, when you’re more in tune to the beauty that surrounds you, you appreciate more and more the simplicity of it. The sounds of nature, the beauty of your surroundings and the amazing people that are in your life. Make a journal for your children and encourage them to write in it daily, this will increase gratitude and their relationships will become filled with grace, their work will become more graceful and they will be more aware of the pleasantness that grace provides in life.
Have a Gratitude Jar
Find yourself a fun jar to fill with notes of gratitude. Involve your family by asking them at the end of the day what they were grateful for, or, ask them in the beginning of each day what they are looking forward to and how they will use grace to accomplish this goal.
Look for the good.
Keep your good eye out I always say because there is good in all of us and we need to recognize and acknowledge this in others. It might be as simple as how your own children are helping you or others without being asked. When kindness is natural it truly is a thing of beauty. Be graceful, acknowledge the good in others, don’t be jealous or use mean words or gestures, being a graceful person absolutely makes your character shine!
Model your own gratitude.
I’ve said it all to often, but, we are a role model for our own children and it’s a fact that they are listening to what we say and what we do and observing how we react to others and the words that we use in our daily language. Be a role model. Show and tell your gratitude with grace!
TELL me and I forget. TEACH me and I learn. INVOLVE me and I remember. Benjamin Franklin