More Thoughts on Grace

I've been thinking more on this idea of grace.  Indulge me, please, while I share those thoughts with you and ask you for some of your own.

I believe that bringing this sense of grace into my days will involve some taking away and some adding, getting rid of things that annoy me, and adding things that bring beauty.

One area that will make the most difference is how my time and space are organized.  I've been making a list of things I can do to make every day proceed more smoothly.

- at the beginning of the week, make menus and do all the grocery shopping for the week.

- always be sure there is plenty of toilet paper stocked up!

- I have hardwood floors and I run barefoot always.  I hate to feel stuff on the floor - dust, cat hair, etc. - touch my feet.  My solution is to do a daily run through with the dust mop.  My house is small; it takes five minutes.

- when I empty my reusable grocery bags, hang them on the front door

- ok, this one may be a little harsh: get rid of things I don't like.  We are told to buy people presents they wouldn't buy for themselves.  Well sometimes there is a good reason people wouldn't buy that thing for themselves; it's ugly!  Just because someone didn't take the time to think about what your likes and preferences are, doesn't mean you should feel obligated to wear or display that hideous thing.  (am I missing the point of grace in this one??)

-don't allow myself to get drawn into negativity.  There is a lot of negativity on the internet, and I am a curious cat. Sometimes someone will hint at some terrible thing this other person did, and my curious nature wants to know what happened.  That is a big waste of time.  It's not about me; I should carry on with trying to be graceful.

There are other things I can do that add beauty and joy to the day.

- make time for reading every day.

- do something kind for my partner each day. 

- paint my toenails.

- add good smells to the air.  This could be a candle, something yummy in the kitchen, or this tea.  It smells heavenly, and oh so comforting:)

- write letters.  Reading all of those letters from my grandmother made me want to renew my commitment to snail mail.  I kind of slacked off last year and I want to revive that hobby again.

- eat health giving, delicious food (making those menus will make this easier)

- go for a walk.

- place something pretty or funny in unexpected places.  I used to keep a rubber lobster in the dishwasher because it made me laugh.  I no longer have the lobster or a dishwasher, but I could put something in the medicine cabinet or my husband's sock drawer;)

What things would you add to these lists?