Graciousness =
isn’t high on the list of modern values. But it ought to be. The =
Three Graces of Greek and Roman mythology were sister goddesses who =
dispensed charm, good humor and beauty. Also known as =
the Charities, they presided over several other pleasures of life, such =
as play and floral decorations. They brought happiness through refinement and =
gentleness.
In Judaism =
grace is the spontaneous gift of affection, mercy and compassion. In =
Christianity those who have been blessed by God are said to have =
received God’s grace. In Chinese philosophy, when the heart feels =
empathy, in particular for the =
oppressed, a person has been touched by grace. Gracious people are kind =
and their behavior is characterized by tact. Graciousness may be =
superficial, but sometimes what is on the surface is good enough. A =
gracious person is a graceful person, someone who at least attempts to =
not hurt others’ feelings with clumsy words or thoughtless deeds. =
To live in grace is to walk lightly and leave the world blessed by your =
presence.
Here is a true =
story from India that illustrates the point of graciousness amongst =
adversaries: Muhammad Jinnah and Mohandas Gandhi were political =
opponents who engaged in difficult emotional, intellectual and political =
arguments about the future of India on the verge of its independence =
from Great Britain. In an attempt to reach a shared vision on the future =
of the sub-continent, Gandhi invited Jinnah to his home on top of =
Malabar Hill in Mumbai.
One day, at =
the end of their talks, Jinnah mentioned that he was suffering from a =
rash on one of his feet. Gandhi immediately asked Jinnah to remove his =
shoe and sock. Gandhi took his foot in his hands and said, “I know =
what will heal you. I shall send it tomorrow =
morning.”
Next day a box =
of clay mixture arrived. For whatever reason, Jinnah didn’t use =
it. When they met that evening for more talks, Jinnah, not wanting to =
offend Gandhi, thanked him and told him that he had used the medicine =
and it had relieved the pain.
[We could use =
such civility and grace in our world today]
~~
Dr Bob Griffin =
[email protected] =
www.grif.net
"Jesus =
Knows Me, This I Love!"