by Mona Everson
I used to believe in the passage of “every once in a while we are given true moments of grace.” Instead, what I have come to know is that every moment we have is a moment of grace. The difference is, now I see grace in not only the big huge moments of life but also in the subdued quiet aspects of it as well. That is how grace works. Sometimes it is the “Love American Style” fireworks, with a lot of bang, glitter and dazzle; and other times it is in the gentleness of holding a baby or sitting in the silence of nature and allowing the “voice”/sounds of nature to speak to us. Using grace to reduce anxiety and depression depends on the ability to notice grace in the world and learning skills that will help you experience it. Learning these skills is a large part of The Midwest Center Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program. The program develops and nurtures habits that prevent stress from becoming a large part of your day...or life.Using Grace Daily to Find a More Fulfilling Life
Grace is taking a catastrophic event and understanding its lessons and resolving to take those lessons forward into living in the present moment of life. Grace teaches us to breathe, to slow down and sit with whatever is occurring and then to choose a course of action that will benefit us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Grace, if allowed, will lead us to the path we are divinely intended to be on without anxiety or excessive worry.With grace we will naturally start to develop the gifts that have innately been with us all our lives but were buried as we busied ourselves with living “accomplished” lives. Accomplished lives are lives that are lived with accolades and awards that do not foster our inner life… our spiritual side. So we end up with this ever ongoing, nagging essence of “something is missing” that generates more anxiety, worry, and depression in our lives. That nagging is right on the mark. It is our spirit calling out to us over and over again telling us there is much more that we are here to do, more than what we are currently doing that can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Grace is a Connection to the Divine
Grace is our connection to the divine, to the soul, where we can live without anxiety, panic, and depression. It is abundantly placed all around us at all times, waiting for us to accept it. When we slow down and breathe in, we literally are breathing in the spirit of grace. That long slow breath allows the divine to come into us on multiple levels, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and most importantly, spiritually. It is where our spirit connects to the universal Spirit of God…the Holy Spirit.Learning to Breathe for Grace
We are breath holders in our society today, so it is no wonder that we are anxious and unhappy. We take itty-bitty baby breaths over and over, and then when stressed we hold our breath. We are not even conscious of this pattern, but it makes the stress and anxiety worse. Think about the time when you are waiting to hear news regarding something “big” in your life, whether it is a personal or professional event. Do you find that you are sitting there remembering that moment of hearing the outcome and you are currently holding your breath in just remembering the event? We forget the precious present moment of breathing. Breathing cleanses us. It releases energy and tension and allows newness to come in to free us of negative emotions. Breathing right is another habit the Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program aims to instill into your stress management plan.Using Breath to Make Room for Graceful Moments
We are vessels, and if a vessel is full, no more can come in unless some contents are released. When we breathe this occurs, we allow contents “out” in order to let new “in.” It is the in taking and out taking of life. To breathe is to be fully alive without fear and depression. If we are so busy breath-holding or taking itty-bitty baby breaths, there is no way we are truly living…we are just surviving.However, life is not about living in a survival mode where we constantly worry and focus on the negative. It is about embracing the ever-present moment of who we are, and honoring that, moment by moment, choice by choice. It all comes full circle, when we breathe and honor who we are created to be grace will flow in and out of us and we will continue the circle of what grace is all about: living a life without depression, anxiety, or fear because we are connected to the Divine. When we are divinely connected we are alive and living the life we are innately intended to live, using all the precious gifts that have been placed within us all along. Go forth and live an abundant grace-filled life.
