Pick Your Battles

by Merci Gracia | Jul 2, 2011 | Attention, Cooperation, Ease, Giving, Kindness, Loose, Peace, Relaxed, Understanding

When you disagree with someone, rather than immediately expressing your contrary opinion, carefully listen to what they’re saying. Let them know when you understand where they’re coming from. Unless it’s really important to you, save the...

Compassion Nourishes

by Merci Gracia | Jun 30, 2011 | Compassion, Discernment, Self-Awareness, Truth, Understanding

When you put yourself in somebody else’s shoes, compassion arises naturally. You would make the same choices if you were them. No, really. It’s easy to make the claim that you would behave differently, but that’s only because you’re not them!...

The One You Need to Forgive

by Merci Gracia | Jun 29, 2011 | Acceptance, Compassion, Forgiveness, Honesty, Kindness, Perception, Self-Awareness, Understanding

Nothing anyone ever does is about you. When you get this, the idea of forgiveness is a moot point. If someone offends you, take a moment to question if you’re really just angry with yourself for being in the situation in the first place. Then let yourself off...

Who’s Driving Your Life?

by Merci Gracia | Jun 28, 2011 | Attention, Beliefs, Discernment, Focus, Perception, Understanding

Your experience of life is determined by how you view and interpret events. When you’re conscious of your thought patterns, you determine your experiences. When you’re not, your feelings are based on conditioning you didn’t even choose. Awareness...

The Truth About Us All

by Merci Gracia | Jun 27, 2011 | Authenticity, Honesty, Self-Awareness, Truth, Understanding

We should all walk around with a sign posted on our foreheads that reads: Please don’t take anything I say or do personally. I’m as self-oriented as you are. Everything I say and do is consciously or unconsciously aimed at pleasing me, even when it seems...

Love Who You Are

by Merci Gracia | Jun 22, 2011 | Acceptance, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love, Self-Awareness, Understanding

When you make a mistake, are you kind and loving to yourself? If things aren’t going your way can you remain neutral or do you slump into a funk? Do you act in ways that benefit you? When you’re the kind of person you want to have as a best friend, you...