Week #300 (+1) – Give Yourself (and others) Some Grace

As I approached the 300th week of my blog this year, I kept thinking to myself, “Wow, I should really plan something special!”  Each week, as I ticked off the weeks, I’d think to myself once again…”300…I should really do something special!”

I was going to post a special picture, announce a new Facebook group, maybe (finally) talk about the book I’m writing.

Something SPECIAL!!!

And then you know what happened?  Quarantine Brain!  In the flurry of news and re-opening activities last week, I forgot it was Friday!

So I woke up at 2am last Friday morning (when Jim decided to get up for a snack) and the thought occurred to me, tomorrow is Friday!  Week 300!  And you didn’t DO anything!

I was immediately wide awake with disappointment, guilt, and regret. How could I forget it was Friday?  (His day?)  How could I forget my blog?  And how could I forget #300?!

And after I realized that no one would probably notice (or care)…I gave myself some grace. It’s corny for me to use this word because it’s my name, and it’s a word I avoid just for that reason, but it’s a good word in this situation. Give yourself some grace. 

And it’s good advice. Because as we all start to get back to life, get out in the world, and back to each other…one thing is for sure, we’re gonna need lots of grace. 

You may find that your social skills got rusty, maybe you curse a little easier, have trouble concentrating on a conversation, or find your editing system is a little off as you blurt out something that may not have made it out of your mouth previously. 

Give yourself some grace. 

You may find others impatient, rude, or unkind. It’s a good thing to remember that they, too, have been cooped up for months dealing with who knows what at home without the escapes of work, or school, or outside entertainment. 

Give yourself (and them) some grace. 

You may find the world as we knew it struggling to figure out this new post-quarantine thing…restaurants may be slow, operations may not be smooth, your favorite gym or studio may not have it all figured out yet because the theory of reopening is much different than the actual re-opening. 

Give the world some grace. 

It’s helpful to remember that for most of us, this is our first pandemic. We are living through a significant piece of history — and hopefully it’s never repeated again. 

Give yourself (and others) some grace. 

Your Happyness Challenge for the Week Ahead: Give yourself (and others) some grace!  As we move to re-open, wherever you are, try to remember that this was everyone’s first pandemic. The experience will likely be vastly different from person to person. Give yourself time and space to adjust. And most of all, give yourself (and others) some grace!

I know I had to!

Spread Happyness – Give Yourself (and others) Some Grace!

6/19/20 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com