Thoughts on Grace

My word of the year to explore has been Grace.  I've always had problems with the word. It seems so... ephemeral. Like it means something but what it means has always been really vague to me.  It feels weird and abstract as a noun. As something you have. What is it that you have when you have grace?  

In terms of spirituality, grace is often spoken of as passive, as in being the passive subject receiving blessings not necessarily deserved. The granting action, however is not passive - it's an act of compassion. We are, I believe, called to both give and receive compassion in life. 

In terms of movement, you are said to 'have grace' when you move with elegant precision - when you move economically using neither more nor less strength/power than you need to in order to achieve your chosen goal. Another way I have come to think of this action is moving with accountability.  If action requires only a light touch, only use a light touch.  Sometimes action requires a heavy hand, do not use a light touch when a strong statement is required.  

Grace then is an action of compassionate accountability.  It is not compassionate to withhold accountability, and accountability does not require one to lack compassion.  They work hand in hand, and the balance of compassion and accountability is grace.

As I reflect on many recent events, I turn to Ma'at and ask for Her to hold us each, in all our very human humanity, in compassionate accountability.

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