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blogging101, Creative Writing, Faith and Writing, Journaling, Journey 2016, Quotes, Reflections, Uncategorized, Writing 101
So my reading for today in my Daily Calm book was this puzzling quote by Sri Ramakrishna…
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The breeze of grace is always blowing on you, but you have to unfurl your sails.
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Now on the surface it seems self-explanatory. Especially if you’re a sailor. But I found myself asking several question about this quote.
- What is Grace in this context?
- How does Grace blow on you?
- How do we “unfurl” our sails to receive it?
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What is Grace?
…..The most common use of the word Grace has to do with the Christian concept of what God gives to each of us, believers or not (which theology defines as common grace).
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…..Other definitions include:
- simple elegance or refinement of movement
- a divinely given talent or blessing
- the condition or fact of being favored by someone
- an attractively polite manner of behaving
- courteous goodwill.
- a period officially allowed for payment of a sum due or for compliance with a law or condition, especially an extended period granted as a special favor
- a short prayer of thanks said before or after a meal
- used as forms of description or address for a duke, duchess, or archbishop
- do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one’s presence
- (of a person or thing) be an attractive presence in or on; adorn
For me Grace is what happens when we reach out to one another in affirmation, friendship, comfort. It’s when a connection is made that builds that other person up. But honestly, I don’t think that’s what the quote is talking about either. So I’m puzzled. Am I thinking about this too hard???
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How does Grace blow on you?
…..Since I don’t really KNOW for sure what that Grace is, I can’t answer this question either.
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How do we “unfurl” our sails to receive it?
…..Again, I’m not sure I have an answer, except that whatever or however this is, I don’t think I’m very good at it.
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Using MY definition of Grace I’m comfortable saying I like to give Grace to other folks, but that doesn’t mean I’m always open to receiving it. Whatever IT is.
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Grace is a word I thought I was pretty familiar with, but this quote has me wondering if there’s a depth to it I don’t understand. Now I’m going to be puzzling over it all day. I would be curious if anyone has any thoughts on this simple but powerful word.
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As usual, Percy and I have gotten ourselves into a pickle with this quote. Drollery just sits here and rolls his eyes at me when I ply him with questions about HIS thoughts on the matter. I had to explain to him that all this “extra thinking” is my bid to avoid Alzheimers! Beats workin’ Sudoku. (That’s really a lie. I love Sudoku and I just LOVE quotes! They make me think or mean something to me.) So if YOU have any thoughts on the matter, I’d love to hear them! Oh! And Percy says “Hey!”
(Late thought… Why does he say it’s “always blowing on you?” Sorry. Just trying to be thorough!)
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Picture Credits:
Ship — www.superyachtnews.com
Percy — moi
Girl on Road — nomadicalsabbatical.com
Impromptu Promptlings 
You might also say grace is the positive exchange of karma, for both the giver and receiver of the ‘blessing’ or ‘goodwill.’
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That is absolutely correct. A beautiful way to explain it, Gus. Glad you brought that up!
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Grace is such an interesting subject ! For me it is the unearned Love of God – and like Fim ( and his lordship in his own unique way) says all we need to do is to ‘unfurl’ and it will flow into our lives. You don’t earn it, you don’t have to DO anything to get it – simply accept. With grace and gratitude 🙂 My newsletter in March was based around exploring issues of Grace and there are some very interesting links in it – https://soulgifts.com.au/2016/03/01/mind-body-soul-newsletter-march-2016/
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I remember reading that. Today in Sunday School we learned that the word Grace in Greek is also the same that can be translated as Gratitude in certain contexts. I believe that had to do with your post.
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It did. I think we had a bit of a chat about that too 🙂
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Well, what I think is that, grace refers to the omnipresent feeling of pleasure. Helping someone, or being at the receiving end of someone’s help, both give us joy – for example. So I think you should go with your definition of
“For me Grace is what happens when we reach out to one another in affirmation, friendship, comfort.”
And as for the quote, I think it means that we always have ways to experience this benevolence yet the only thing that is stopping us would be our own selves.
And so, to experience this ever present feeling of joy, we need to accept and acknowledge it. We need to let it in our lives by being happy with our lot.
So the quote
“The breeze of grace is always blowing on you, but you have to unfurl your sails.”
would quite mean,
We are always blessed – it is for us to see and feel it.
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“We are always blessed – it is for us to see and feel it.” Interesting thought!. Good to see you, Karthi! Long time no see. How are you?
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Long time no see indeed. Got caught up in academics and couldn’t blog for some time 🙂
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Well it’s good to see you back, hon.
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I have a feeling that there are as many definitions of the word ‘grace’ as there are people who believe in it from different points of view. You need only know what it means to you, in your life. I suspect every moment is one where an opportunity for this notion to come into a person’s life, and ‘blows on you’ are those very moments. Unfurling, is simply being open and ready to receive, to become a conduit, perhaps, for the energy as it flows.
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That’s probably very true about the definitions of Grace. When you take it out of a religious context it could mean anything.
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I think grace is the instinctive kindness/goodness within. Class..something many strive for but few attain without many years of witnessing and living. I think you are grace personified actually. You have been so full of grace towards me. Thank you for that. Now, unfurl your sails and accept that you deserve grace from others as well. *rolling eyes like your hubby* 😉
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You’re such a sweetheart, Shannon. How in the world could people NOT be nice to you? If there IS someone who is NOT nice to you, tell me and I’ll take my whompin’ stick and beat the tar out of ’em (speaking of being grace-ful)! 😉
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I thought it was an album by Jeff Buckley.
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Giggle. No one takes me seriously! (I can’t help it. That’s just how my strange mind works. 😀 )
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(Comment from his lordship…)
(eyeroll)…The wind blows and if your sails are not unfurled you will not go any where!
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