Embracing Grace on the Tenth Day of Christmas

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave me a profound gift: grace. This grace manifested not as an external token but as an inner strength within myself.

In my role as a spiritual guide, I often remind those I teach to be gentle with themselves. Whether adopting a new practice or revisiting an old one, it’s important not to berate oneself. The mantra “Healer, heal thyself” resonates deeply with me. Recently, during a moment of awakening in my practice, I became acutely aware of the unrealistic expectations I set for myself. Though not a new realization, it’s a truth I find myself rediscovering periodically. Practices can evolve into habits, and these habits can inadvertently start to define us.

Yesterday, I caught myself frantically reaching for spiritual practices I usually attend, those I had abandoned, and grasping for every spiritual book within arm’s reach. Thankfully, my immediate space only contained about thirty books, a stark contrast to the hundreds scattered around my office. By early afternoon, I was exhausted from this fruitless search, no closer to an elusive answer. In these moments of tiredness, my inner critic often begins to impose a sense of responsibility on me.

However, yesterday was different. I serendipitously stumbled upon some affirmations I often share with people I meet. They read:

I Am:

• Precious.
• Loved.
• Unique.
• A Gift.

This chance encounter with my own words sparked a profound sense of grace and a moment of release. The light, or grace, shone through the very cracks of my perceived broken practice. It was a revelation! Grace did not alter my practice, but it did liberate me from my feverish quest for answers, allowing me to remain in Silence, embracing grace and simply pondering the questions.

It was a beautiful gift. The word ‘grace’ itself means ‘gift’, and it brought ease to my internal unrest. Life is a gift. Everything is a gift. Everyone is a gift. I was reminded once again to embrace this gift, this grace. I found myself falling into an endless well of Love that has always enveloped me.

I encourage you to be present in your life. When your inner critic becomes loud, gently remind yourself that you are a gift. Neither you nor I have anything to prove. We are simply loved. Embrace and be the gift you are today. And, if you feel inclined, share your own thoughts and stories about grace.