I mourn for all the clumsy folks out there. I know I have had my fair share of clumsiness in the past. While I am certainly not immune to it now (if only), I have improved significantly. How? More mindfulness. Centered presence on an increasingly consistent basis. It dawns on me that grace only exists in the present moment, right here and right now. If we are frustrated fretting over something in the past or anxiously awaiting an unknown in the future, then we cut ourselves off from grace. Only by being here and now in each and every moment can we tune into and receive an amazing grace that is always flowing all around. When it feels this good, why go elsewhere? It is such a sweet sound to listen to.
I’ve learned about the poetry and the wisdom and the grace that can be found in the words of people all around us when we simply take the time to listen.
-Dave Isay
I know that remaining present is certainly easier said than done. Practice makes permanent, though. If you find your mind wandering, bring it back. If thoughts are spiraling into what-ifs, remind yourself of what is going on and where you are at currently. The current of our mind can be directed and redirected. Mind its flow.
Grace is meeting those moments on the journey, then picking yourself back up, being humble enough to learn, and not being too hard on yourself.
-Michelle Peluso
I notice heavy footsteps. For one reason or another, my awareness picks up on how loudly people move across floors. It has become a bit of a game for me to see how silently I can glide through the same spaces. I have a hunch that a lot of clumsiness has to do with lack of presence. Thoughts are too busy whirling every which way, weighing down all possible awareness to the point of the body being on auto-pilot. Then, if you are not already naturally or instinctually quiet with your movements, you begin to move loudly. I wonder how much damage that does to the body, too, with all the heavier impacts being mindlessly ignored. Grace begins on the inside and flows to the outside.
Grace means that all of your mistakes now serve a purpose instead of serving shame.
-Mike Foster
Clumsiness can also arise from too much emotion. If you are not regulating your feelings well, then they will take control and can cause conflict. It is so silly, but I still remember playfully tossing one of my favorite mugs up in the air years ago. I was having fun and getting carried away. Then, I bobbled it wrong on one catch, and that mug went crashing to the floor. I was devastated, from a high joy to a low despair in mere moments.
Grace doesn’t depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors.
-Wm. Paul Young
Clumsiness can corrupt our lane when we are not centered and in control. It may sound boring and taxing to seek constant centering and self-control, but that is how we begin to find and receive grace. It is not easy, but it is so worth it. The gift of grace is grand.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.