An Ounce of Grace

An Ounce of Grace

Posted on 16. May, 2009 by Michael Scott in Love & Service

There are three things that I’ve never really felt I had enough of:

  1. time,
  2. money, and
  3. love.

And yet when I stop to notice, these three things are not lacking from my life so much as from my perception.

Could it be that I’ve been too ambitious? Thinking about it now, it feels like I’ve had much more value for what could be, than I’ve had for what actually is. It feels like I’ve been ungrateful.

I wouldn’t even have noticed this in myself, if I hadn’t resolved to start giving more. But taking the first step, I immediately encountered this prerequisite:

In order to walk this path - in order to more freely give of my time, money and love - I’ve been forced to come to terms with a simple truth: I already have enough.

Indeed, I have enough time, money and love to spare (even in this economy) - not because I’ve gained more, but because my recognition and gratitude for what I already have has increased.

Truly, my life (and yours) is the result of untold grace. I am both wealthy and fortunate. Knowing this, why wouldn’t I practice even just an ounce of grace in my way of life?

This is the new path I have chosen, and which I began walking today! (more later…)


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15 Responses to “An Ounce of Grace”

  1. Positively Present

    16. May, 2009

    Love this post! I found it really uplifting and it was so interesting to read your take on this. I love how you’ve chosen a new path and you’re starting down it today. Good for you!

    Positively Present’s last blog post..the lucky number seven

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  2. Lisis

    17. May, 2009

    You know, Michael… just in the example of money, it seems like everyone always lives “paycheck to paycheck” no matter how big their paycheck gets.

    When I used to work, and we had two equal incomes, we never thought I’d be able to quit to stay home with Hunter. But I quit anyway… we downsized a little, made a few small changes, and everything worked out fine. We’ve never lacked anything we needed.

    I think the same thing applies to time and love… a little shift in perspective and a few minor adjustments can free up a whole lot of spare everything.

    I can’t wait to read the “more” than comes later. :)
    Lisis’s last blog post..Inspiration from Mother Teresa

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  3. Nadia - Happy Lotus

    17. May, 2009

    Hi Michael,

    I have found that whenever I have a moment where I am concerned about what the future will bring, I am humbly reminded that in any given moment we always had what we needed for that moment.

    I once read that poverty was really something that referred to the spirit. You can be financially poor but rich in spirit. A poor soul was someone who could not love or give; a poor soul was not someone who had little money. That passage came to me in a time of great financial need and I never forgot it. You are as poor as you feel and that has nothing to do with what your checking account may say.

    I look forward to hear what comes next. :)
    Nadia - Happy Lotus’s last blog post..Happy News (May 17th, 2009)

    Reply to this comment

    • Michael Scott

      17. May, 2009

      Yes, and not only do we have what we need, but also something extra we can spare. I’ve actually understood the theory well, but coming to terms with it (trying to live up to it) has been another matter entirely.

      Reply to this comment

  4. David

    17. May, 2009

    Hi Micheal,

    I enjoyed reading your post and everyone’s responses. Our mind has the tendency of thinking the grass is greener on the other side and that we always lack something. In fact, that is what satsang was about this week. Sant Rajinder said “the secret to desires is that it is not the object we desire. It is the mind’s tendency to always be in a state of desire.” I tend to worry about the future and if there will be enough. Your post is a friendly reminder that Life takes care of everyone, it is up to us to see that. Thank you.

    Loving regards,
    David

    Reply to this comment

    • Michael Scott

      17. May, 2009

      Hi David,

      Thanks for sharing this. Not worrying - not trying to control everything, but trusting that we have enough for ourselves and others is something of an act of faith. It is not blind faith, but faith in that which has already gotten us this far.

      Reply to this comment

  5. David Cain

    18. May, 2009

    Hi Michael,

    In order to walk this path - in order to more freely give of my time, money and love - I’ve been forced to come to terms with a simple truth: I already have enough.

    How easily we forget! I constantly feel like my time, especially, is not plentiful enough, but I think that’s just a result of my trying to do too much. Deep down I know I already have enough, but I still find myself reaching for more than my time will allow. And why?

    These same thoughts were on my mind yesterday, so I wrote about gratitude. It really is a matter of perspective, and not resources.

    David Cain’s last blog post..How to Be Grateful When You Don’t Feel Like It

    Reply to this comment

    • Michael Scott

      18. May, 2009

      Deep down I know I already have enough

      This is so true, and is the reason why I need to spend more time digging deep down. I don’t just want to visit deeper, I want to learn to live there.

      Reply to this comment

  6. Name Ian | Quantum Learning

    20. May, 2009

    From what I’ve picked up from following your blog for a while now - you already tread this path.

    I know what you mean though. I often question if I have enough (with me it’s usually time). It’s a question of forgetting the grace that rests on each and every one of us.

    Name Ian | Quantum Learning’s last blog post..The beauty of differences

    Reply to this comment

    • Michael Scott

      22. May, 2009

      Ian, it’s always nice to hear from you.

      You know, I feel that I can’t truly be at peace with myself until I’m convinced that I’m giving this my best effort. I have a long way to go.

      Reply to this comment

  7. Paul Maurice Martin

    20. May, 2009

    At one point I noticed in my own life that having “enough” is a relative concept and that somehow it’s automatic to compare oneself with those who have more, not less…

    Reply to this comment

  8. Lisa

    02. Oct, 2009

    Great post. Change your viewpoint and change your life.

    Reply to this comment

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