Grace: Seeking Balance In All Things…
“I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn’t something left in life of charm and grace.” Margaret Mitchell
Grace: Seeking Balance In All Things... embrace the positive and act with moderation
With all the major events and massive changes going on in our world today, it is not surprising that some of us feel overwhelmed, perplexed, and torn by conflicting emotions; from exhilaration to ennui. Finding ways to gain balance amidst the chaos and swirling change requires grace, and a recognition that life is about change; both good and bad.
Countering those maddening feelings of being stuck in a hot desert with no rain or fertile soil around, takes effort. We must take time to nurture self, regroup, and seek moderation in our lives and our actions. For those who love peace, the barren, scalding earth will be restored; replaced by verdant lawns. Our positive thoughts and actions will help us see that Grace works…
Recently, I read a story that speaks to this need for moderation in chaotic times and I think you’d enjoy the wisdom in the message.
The Headache ~ A Story… Anon
One day, a man walked into his doctor’s office complaining… ” Doctor, I have this awful headache that won’t go away. Please, could you give me a prescription for it?”
“I will,” murmured the doctor, pondering what had set off his usually calm patient. “but first, I want to check out a few things and ask you a few questions… Tell me, do you drink a lot of alcohol?” More below. 🙂
“What brings effort to fruition is divine grace.” Mata Amritanandamayi
“Alcohol?” the man shouted back indignantly. “I never touch that filthy stuff. Nor do I go near people who drink it. All filthy!”
“How about smoking?” the doctor calmly inquired.
“I think smoking is disgusting. I’ve never touched tobacco in my life.”
“Okay,” the doctor continued, “I’m a bit embarrassed to even ask this, but… Do you run around at night seeking dangerous pleasures?”
“Of course not! What do you take me for? I’m a highly spiritual and disciplined man, and I’m in bed by 10 o’clock every night.” The man spat back.
“Then, tell me…” said the doctor, “This pain in your head, is it a sharp, shooting kind of pain?”
“Yes, yes!” The man eagerly replied, his eyes lighting up… “It is… a sharp, shooting kind of pain.”
“Well, that’s simple, my dear fellow!” the doctor replied with a smile on his face. “The trouble is that you have your halo on too tight. All we need to do for you is loosen it up a bit; loosen you up a bit! Avoid the bad habits I mentioned earlier, and enjoy some innocent pleasures in life – Live.”
We can choose to be lost in the chaos or reclaim our center with compassion, calm and a passion for life. Focus on the positive and live your life peacefully and with moderation… Sending love and hugs to all. Grace works. 🙂 This post was inspired by a a short reading in Matruvani ~ A publication of M.A. Mission Trust, Amritapuri, Kerala.
What are your thoughts? How are you seeking grace and balance? When do you find moments of moderation? Do share. Thank You! 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: Grace helps us create balance and perspective. Nurture yourself and seek rest.
Related Articles
- Expressions of Grace (eliseonlife.wordpress.com)
- Grace from Spirituality RX (chutneybynancy.org)
- Praying For Grace To Keep Our Promises To God. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Photo of desert landscape from hp photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
That’s a good story.
Thank you Tilly! I thought so too when I read the story… great for our times. 🙂
My share is this: ever since I started working more hours I find that blogging is harder to do as my brain is fried. My legs hurt and all sorts of ouches. But, when I do blog I feel great and miss it so much. Balance is hard to find. I noticed that I don’t cook or clean the house now and I sleep when I am off work. Loosen up- live a little, YES. Easier said than done. I wrote down today my simple pleasures: the stillness of the night, the quiet time, reading, writing, helping others, research, prayer time, visiting family, watching Andy Griffith, sunny days, walking in nature, Christmas, Learning something new, not having to impress others, and my CATS! Guess what I did figure out? They are all FREE!
Thanks for stopping in Jackie! You are working very hard and I do hope you get some time to rest and put your feet up. You don’t need to loosen up, you need a little rest break to enjoy time with you family and pets. Yes, the best and easy things are free. 🙂
it is not surprising that some of us feel overwhelmed, perplexed, and torn by conflicting emotions…
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thanks, Eliz, you are my daily emotional inspiration (and English teacher …)
Thank you for doing the same for me Frizztext. I learn as much from what you and my other blog friends write about… and I truly appreciate your support. 🙂
The halo story made me smile! I don’t think I’m ever likely to get a headache from my halo being on too tight. Sometimes in my life it has almost fallen off, just not quite.
I try to find balance, but at the moment that is a bit difficult. I am hoping within a few weeks that will be easier to do. It will be nice to get back to normal.
I smiled and then had a good laugh… the halo story covers a lot of ground on many issues facing us today. With balance, we are all a work in progress… I’m seeking it too. 🙂 TY!
By the time I get home, after having thought of every possible synonym and scenario for my non-English speaking students, I can barely think of adult vocabulary let alone create anything blog-worthy in the way of poetry or prose–or comments. This is why I have a photoblog. But through exercise, which I find therapeutic, I can find my center–and my core!
You are a busy lady and I can imagine the exhaustion… Your creations are beautiful and your words measured. It is uplifting too and I enjoy visiting you. TY! 🙂
this is terrible, but at this point, i am avoiding the news. most of it doesn’t affect me directly, and worrying about it all just adds another billion pounds to my shoulders!
I understand your sentiments too… I hear you and have been doing a lot of meditation/reflection/prayer on this subject. 🙂 TY!
Pretty funny. I wish headaches were so funny. I deal with mine by giving them to my protagonist and see how see handles it.
LOL! Oh your poor indestructible protagonist… I guess that’s what they are made to do… carry the story and the headaches. TY! 🙂
Loosen the halo a bit… that’s rich! I know some very uptight people who could use that advice. I try to avoid them whenever possible because all that tension rubs off. 😉
thanks for the chuckle!
That is rich… and grand! LOL! I hear you… 🙂
Thank goodness my halo is loose fitting..no headaches! 🙂
Hurray to that… We could all use some loosening of our collective halos in our world… and look at each other and see our collective humanity, we need, at least, a re-evaluation of the process. TY! 😉
I lost my halo.
Amen to that! On second thoughts, we should find you a loose-fitting one. Everyone needs one now and again, n’est pas? 🙂
Halo…what a hoot!! I’m going to have to remember that one. Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about any of the drinking, smoking, drugs, etc. though!!
Thanks for visiting me at digitalscrapbooklessons.com hope you found some useful information and will visit again soon. Did you enter the drawing for a copy of Elements 9 (the consumer version of Photoshop)? And if you choose you can also elect to get my newsletter every week.
And I agree with Jackie Paulson that sometimes at the end of the day it’s just more than I can do to post a post…hehehe!
Thank you Patricia,
I will come back and enter the drawing. Thanks for stopping by my blog too. I’m glad you liked the story… halo and all! TY! 🙂
Thanks for the story about the man with the headache. 🙂
Like Phrogmom, I avoid most of the news if I can help it…I know that when I open up the computer, I will see the “important” headlines which I never click on to see the story…and I’d rather spend my time interacting with people. 🙂
At the end of the day, I enjoy watching an old movie or BBC TV series with my husband, while munching on a bowl of popcorn. Nothing fancy, but definitely refreshing, rejuvenating, relaxing and renewing for me.
Same here Viv! Too much stress and nightmare inducing material out there. We need a lot of prayerful reflection in our world today and I’m not confident enough of it is going on… TY! 🙂
I love this!
“Well, that’s simple, my dear fellow!” the doctor replied with a smile on his face. “The trouble is that you have your halo on too tight. All we need to do for you is loosen it up a bit; loosen you up a bit! Avoid the bad habits I mentioned earlier, and enjoy some innocent pleasures in life – Live.”
I thought you would Nancy… right up your alley too. I had a good laugh when I read it… lots of food for thought in it too… TY! 🙂
I really liked the halo story. Focus on the positive and live your life peacefully and with moderation. That speaks leaps and bounds on my thoughts for creating balance and perspective. Nice post !!
Thank you Penny,
I have been thinking about this a lot too and even though I had a good laugh over the story, I also appreciated the powerful, underlying message… so much to digest in it. 🙂
Wonderful post. Thank you.
Cecelia
I love the message of the story! No play will give one a headache! I’ll keep that in mind. 😉