Good morning all. This Sunday, Gommy was thinking about 'grace'. Grace can mean; a sanctification by God, a prayer said before a meal, the style with which we display ourselves, elegance and beauty of movement or expression...... or the victor's 'grace' in treating the vanquished. This is an example of showing a disposition to kindness and compassion.
The reason Goms started thinking about 'grace' is that the almighty football team of the University of Florida lost a heartbreaking and very important game last night. Now, anyone who knows Grandpa Mike, knows he is a die-hard Gator fan and he talks the talk about the team any time he gets the chance. And people from all over the country called Grandpa last night to 'needle' him about the loss. But what Goms was seeing was 'grace' being displayed by Grandpa just by the virtue of his admission that the other team was the victor last night and that arguing the point was moot. Being a good loser is not the usual way most people react to the reality of losing. They sometimes blame x,y,or z or they call 'foul' on the other side or on the referees or they become nasty and are mean inwardly and outwardly.....some even turn against the very team they have adored all year! But not Grandpa....Gommy heard Grandpa Mike repeatedly say to the callers, "Yup...they just got whooped. Alabama was the better team last night." That is grace folks....
That got Gommy to thinking about how we could all be a bit more graceful in our everyday lives. When someone comes into your workplace and is angry......treating them with grace diffuses the animosity immediately. Now, Goms isn't saying they will suddenly turn into a pussy-cat....but the atmosphere takes on a different energy when you don't become the 'wall' to their abuse. Let it go right through you as if you were transparent and be as nice as you can muster.....believe Goms......it works.
The same holds true in any personal relationship. We're talking about any interaction occurring between a parent to a child, to a romantic or casual association, with friend-to-friend episodes, in-law to in-laws or just everyday social involvements. If there is a disruptive personality involved in your life, arguing and becoming 'like' that person just escalates the situation. Each confrontation can be diffused by allowing the other person to spout off while you stay calm and collected. It eventually reveals to the 'screamer' that they are the whack-a-doodles. But beware....sometimes that makes the whack-a-doodle just go nuttier because they have 'exposed' their crazy side and they don't know what to do with that part of them, now that it is out. But if you remain calm, they will return to their sanity in time. Just keep an eye out for any heavy objects that may be flung in your direction....
So, everyone out there in blogland that is a Gator fan......be graceful when you get back to work tomorrow and some not-so-graceful person just wants to get in your face and rub it in about your team losing......remember to stay calm and say, "Yup......they just got whooped by the better team last night." It works....I promise.
Goms hopes everyone has a 'graceful' week and tries out being 'graceful' for themselves and everyone around them......it actually works in every area of your lives. Hugs and mush, Gommy
