Kelp — bulbous caramel colored buoys and leaves attached to thick rope like strands and tethered to the ocean floor. Effortless shifting, swaying with its environment, the fluidity of kelp's movements is a peaceful and composed performance to behold.
Humans who are full of grace like that too. With these people, there is no such thing as a power struggle. In keeping with their personal code of conduct, they do not succumb to the swirling surf around them. They do not allow others to disturb their inner peace. Buoyed by their reserves of patience and kindness, even when turbulence tosses them around, they stay afloat with their heads held high.
Grace is the ability to stay anchored to solid ground even while tempestuous seas challenge our support system. No matter the circumstances, with enough flexibility and maturity, it is possible to behave with dignity and class.
So, how does a person become a living example of grace?
We could learn acceptance of the things we can't change. We could be more forgiving. Maybe, like kelp, we could go with the flow — work with others rather than against them. If we think about it, we know it doesn't do any good to flounder, to pitch a fit, or have a tantrum. We know it's fruitless — not to mention exhausting — to fight the tide. Wouldn't it be better to choose a productive course of action rather than complain, combat, or compete? If we abandon a focus on problems, we might even think solutions.
If a person feels like they're caught in a rip current, about to get pulled under, isn't it a known strategy to remain calm and swim toward shore at a different angle? To work against the current, well, good luck with that.
The ocean of difficulties that face us may be strong and forceful but there is great power in grace.
