Start With Empathy, Lead With Grace

Start with Empathy. Empathy keeps me near the bright place of love and understanding, and out of the dark place of frustration and anger. It helps me meet the people I love where they are in that current moment, versus where I expect or want them to be. It allows me to appreciate progress, and dismantle distorted views of perfection. If only we all had just a little more Empathy today, think about the difference it could make in our tomorrow. _____ Lead with Grace. Not just for others, but for yourself as well. God's unwavering Love and Grace includes my flaws and mistakes. Even though it's hard at times, I try to extend that same grace when dealing with mental illness. Grace allows me to live in forgiveness, and not in resentment. It allows me to see the best, even though actions may show me the worst. It helps me stay anchored in faith, knowing that my journey is significant and so is theirs. ______ I pray the gift of Empathy finds you during your most misunderstood moments, and that you can lend it to others the same. I pray that Grace finds you in the midst of your mess, and grants you the serenity to become whole once again.

Affirmation: I know that if I Start with Empathy, I can Lead with Grace.