A Word About Grace

So, I said in my first post I don’t like to talk about politics and religion and that I’d tell you why. So here we are talking about it. But..it’s going to be a one and done as far as I’m concerned.

I looked at my first post and thought, man, that’s just too long. Keep it shorter Michelle. But seriously, I don’t think it’s possible. I’m already distracted by everything I want to cram in here. So I’ll start by saying I find politics boring. I know they’re important. To some people. Just not to me. It doesn’t mean I turn a blind eye to what is going on in the world or in my own country. It doesn’t mean I don’t care or I’m not concerned. But in general, politics put me to sleep and people arguing about them even more so. I’m blown away by people who have let relationships end over which president they voted for. Give me a break.

I guess the same goes for religion. I have no issue proclaiming my own choice of Christianity. But it certainly wasn’t something I was born with. I found it on my own as an adult. I took a college class on world religions that was fascinating. I learned that there are many peaceful religions I relate to, like Buddhism and Hinduism. But not unlike politics, people just get downright stupid when it comes to religion. Christians fight with each other over which form of being a Christian is best; Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, Baptist, etc. I have met people who proclaim to hate Muslims and Jews without having any knowledge of what those religions are about or encompass. It’s stupid. I have personally “unfriended” a family member on Facebook who took every single thing anyone said and turned it into a religious rant. I had made a choice to become a minister a few years back through the great church of the interwebs, and was fortunate enough to marry some friends last summer. All hell broke loose with that family member, who took a lot of time out of her day to quote bible verses on how I couldn’t do that because I’m a woman. 🙄 Seriously. I could. And I did. It was a cool experience for me. She would probably be mortified to know not only was bible scripture included in the ceremony, so were Van Morrison lyrics.

So politics and religion, in my opinion, bring out the worst in people. People believe what they believe. I don’t live in a plastic bubble where I think all things are perfect. But pretty much I try to be a glass half full person. I try to see the positive in people. I don’t always agree with folks, like “Guy” from yesterday, but I have better things to do than name call or try to get him to change his mind. It’s called adulting. It’s called being a grown up. Deciding to hate on someone because of their religion, or lack thereof, or who they voted for, or because of their skin color, or sexuality while we’re at it, is sheer idiocy to me. I just don’t have time for it and this is all the time I’ll give it now. It’s a crazy fantasy I have where we all accept each other for who we are, not for what we think the ideal is.

My daughter’s middle name is Grace. I chose it because I thought it was beautiful, and it fits the old soul she is. Had I known I would call her Grace or Gracie all the time, I would have just made it her first name. You’ll see it sprinkled throughout my blog. Grace is my daughter. God’s grace helped me dodge cancer, twice. Grace is the thing we all need to drink a little more of. Living in some sort of grace is what we should all aspire to, not negative bashing of each other. I don’t tolerate it.

And yes, I had it tattooed on my body last year. Yes that photo is me. And like this post on politics and religion, it’s another one and done.

I try to live in a place of gratitude and grace every day. It’s not always easy. I have a gratitude jar and it’s generally on a really bad day that I’ll think of something I’m grateful for and throw it in the jar for a rainy day.  Life can be hard. But it’s not impossible and I’ve learned showing kindness is absolutely free. Today I’m grateful for all the new friends I’ve made lately. They’re lively, talented, interesting, and kind, with souls full of music that makes them happy. It makes everyone around them happy too. I don’t think it gets much better than that, does it?

I hope your day is filled with grace.