Falling Stars

A character trait which I hold in high esteem is that of Graciousness.  This is a trait which is somewhat of a rarity in today's society.  As a whole, we see fit only to point out the flaws of others, unable to forgive what people are lacking despite the things at which they excel or the positive skills and traits which they possess.  When one lacks graciousness, they lack the ability to see those around them for who they are:  works in progress, and children of our Father in Heaven.  They forget that they, too, are imperfect and in need of mercy and grace.  While we should do all that we can to be our best and expect the best out of others, people will continue to have shortcomings.  We, ourselves, will continue to have faults.  Very few in this life will truly be perfect.  When I feel my temper rise to the surface, I try to remember the humanity of the person to which my anger is directed.  I try to remember why it is that I should love them and be gracious.  It is so easy to speak badly of others upon every little improper course of action which they take, but when a good person, or even someone I don't know very well, messes up, I feel like they deserve a bit of Grace.  A bit of leeway is required of me.  It's more than being the "better" person--it is forgiveness and it is love.  That, to me, is what grace really is.  It is not a proper curtsy or walking as though you are floating.  It is not appeasing yourself with the "fact" that you are better than someone else, and therefore can let something slide when it suits your whims.  To me, true graciousness is loving the best and the worst of those around us, and forgiving the best that we can as many times as we can muster.  We may not be perfect in our graciousness, but in those times I hope there is a little bit of grace spent on all of us.  Can a woman really be beautiful if she is lacking in grace?  Can we really say that we are disciples of Christ and that we respect His sacrifice and the sanctity of the lives around us if we do not try to give others the benefit of the doubt?