Again, this month, in recognition of Thanksgiving, our theme is gratitude, even in the face of falling back or challenge. I find the notion of grace to be helpful here. Grace is often associated with religion – it can be defined as “unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” But it can also be defined as “to confer dignity or honor on.”
I do believe that we can confer grace on ourselves when we need it – and that we can certainly give grace to others when they are falling back, falling short, having a hard time. Through such grace (divine or human), we can provide ourselves and others with support and encouragement to persevere in this DIB journey. To pick up another small stone to carry away, or to let go of. The author Anne Lamott said, “I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”
So, I’m asking you all to consider an experience on your own Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging journey that may have been uncomfortable in the moment, or when you might have felt you were falling back or falling short, but is something for which you are now grateful.