Eternal now, happiness, and joyful community? It's not splendor or beauty, but laughter is definitely a grace.
Laughter is the key that grace has arrived.
-- Anne Lamott
So one of the things I've been thinking about since the beginning of the year is Grace. What does it mean to have grace? To be graceful? In more than just a physical movement sense.
Relying on the trope they taught us K-12 then told us to never use ever again because it's so overused, here, according to Merriam Webster, is the definition of grace:
Definition of grace
1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b : a virtue coming from God
c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance
2 a : approval, favor stayed in his good graces
b archaic : mercy, pardon
c : a special favor : privilege each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage — Rudyard Kipling
d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency
e : a temporary exemption : reprieve
3 a : a charming or attractive trait or characteristic Among disagreeable qualities he possessed the saving grace of humor.
b : a pleasing appearance or effect : charm all the grace of youth — John Buchan
c : ease and suppleness (see 1supple 2b) of movement or bearing danced with such grace
4 —used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop
5 : a short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks
6 Graces plural : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty
7 : a musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura 8 a : sense of propriety or right had the grace not to run for elective office — Calvin Trillin
b : the quality or state of being considerate or thoughtful accepted his advice with grace.
--Merriam Webster
So I'm still trying to make sense of what exactly grace is. I have the year... in the meantime...
Graces plural : three sister goddesses in Greek mythology who are the givers of charm and beauty... the three Graces are Splendor, Beauty, and Laughter. One of these things is not like the others, right? Laughter? Why is laughter one of the graces?
Laughter brings grace - it always occurs in the eternal now. NOW. While you might laugh about something that happened in the past, you are laughing about it NOW, in the present.
Laughter also, in its' purest state, is about bringing happiness. Yes, there's bitter laughter, and the awkward laughter when you get the giggles at a really inconvenient moment, but true belly laughter is not that.
And laughter, in the presence of others, laughter in community, can create a bond that lasts a lifetime. We laugh with our friends, our loved ones.
Eternal now, happiness, and joyful community? It's not splendor or beauty, but laughter is definitely a grace.
May we all be so blessed with such grace.
Love and curiosity,
--Susan