Pobody's Nerfect!

Yes, the typo is intentional😅 This is the name of a Storyworks article we used with 3rd and 4th graders and the title always stick with me, reminding me that indeed, nobody is perfect. Parents and the public can hold us to high standards, but oftentimes, we are our own worst critics, chastising ourselves for a lesson gone awry, forgetting to send Olivia to the office for early dismissal, or not being as patient as we could be. So today’s question is…Do you know how to give yourself grace?

Making mistakes is human, as are lapses in judgment, and being imperfect.

But in these moments of being human, we often beat ourselves up. How about giving yourself grace instead?

Giving grace is an act of self-love. It’s a moment to realize that the “mistake” was put in our path to provide a moment to step back, reflect, and sometimes, just plain SLOW DOWN.

We used to think of giving myself grace as a thought, an awareness, and that, it is. But it’s lovely and effective to take it a step further and make it an action. Here are a few ideas to actively give yourself grace.

1.Take some “me” time. Do something to nurture yourself. Read a good book. Go for a walk. Listen to your favorite song.

2. Grant yourself permission to be imperfect. Perfection can be paralyzing and can keep us from moving forward. Whatever you’re working on, wrap it up in a big bow and send it out into the world as is. There’s beauty in imperfection.

3. Manage your expectations. Are you setting unrealistic expectations for yourself? Assess your roles. Make a list for your home life and work life. Does anything feel too demanding? Let go of expectations that are not serving you. Create more space in your life to let grace in.

When you're feeling less than graceful, remember this:

Nothing shines 24 hours a day….not even the sun