Learning mean, teaching grace

Pál Balkay (1785–1846)
Image via Wikipedia

A little girl watches a show about little girls and learns that girls are mean. She decides that to be authentic, she has to practice being mean, so she rubs mud all over her little brother's face. Her mother sees it all. Her mother, a wise woman, counsels the child.

We talked and talked about how anyone who is feeling connected with their Source would never be mean to anyone.

Michelle O'Neil
Full Soul Ahead

Afterward, Mom says the child seems relieved, "because this mean thing? She really doesn’t have it in her."

Don't you love this? What a fabulous mom, not overreacting, but learning what was behind the dirty deed (pun, yes) and discovering the child was confused by our culture into thinking she had to be something she did not want to be.

Thank goodness for thoughtful moms--and dads--who take the time to listen to their children and find out what is on their minds instead of lashing out with a punishment. That's how we build Ordinary, and is one more reason why Michelle O'Neil is one of my Ordinary Heroes. Sadly, Michelle says she may give up blogging soon to devote time to other pursuits. I have learned so much from her and will deeply miss her enchanting, funny, sometimes incredibly sad, frequently moving, stories of life with a husband she adores and two beautiful children, one of whom is learning to navigate the world, with valor and love, through the difficult prism of autism.

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We make peace in a million small ways every day.

All text and images, unless otherwise noted, copyright L. Kathryn Grace. All rights reserved.