Mindful Monday: The Gift of Grace

 "There will be days when our own negativity will get the best of us, moments when we fail to live up to our own standards. Don't allow these moments of frustration to own you. Remember that your personal excellence starts over again each day." ~Jimmy Casas

This last year has been filled with buzzwords. One that we heard often was "grace" - giving each other and ourselves the gift of grace during these exceptionally trying times. My question is, what does that really mean? What does grace look like? 

For starters, grace is about kindness, about gratitude and forgiveness. Grace is about second and third chances regardless if they are deserved or not.  And while our world could use a little more grace towards one another, I feel like we never give ourselves enough grace, enough chances. This is why I love this quote from Jimmy Casas. The last line really resonates with me. "Remember that your personal excellence starts over again each day." 

The best thing about waking up to a new day is:

1) You woke up. You are still here, still breathing, and been given the gift of time; and 

2) It's a new day- a fresh start. The day can be anything you want it to be. 

Let each day be your best day yet. Let each new morning be filled with possibilities. You get to start fresh each morning and strive for your personal excellence each and every day. Don't let the trials of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow weigh down your day. 

Some days are certainly better than others. Some days we'd just as soon forget. And on those exceptionally long and trying days we eventually go to bed and wake up again with another fresh start. You can't win them all, but it sure doesn't hurt to try. 

And on those days that you feel extra defeated and fully frustrated, don't belittle the impact you have on others. Afterall, it's all the little things you do that add up to excellence. You don't need a gold medal, a Nobel Prize or a doctoral degree to prove your excellence. Your excellence shines from within. And while we may not always feel like we've reached the excellence we desire, it shines brighter than you know. So much so, your excellence has already left a lasting impact on countless people in ways you can't even begin to imagine.