The Grace of Mess

Give yourself and others the grace to be a little messy, a little incoherent and a little sporadic. At times we are so wound to act correctly, to behave admirably and to mark our lives with results, with action and movement, we lose sight of the clumsier, messier and less precise parts of ourselves - which are just as deserving, just as lovable and just as wonderful.

These parts of ourselves are yet to be defined, slow to express and harboured by a sense of process and of being mid-made. We can feel frustrated and impatient for something cleaner, something sleeker, and forget that the mess we are, is part of it all and truly what makes life worth living.

When we break a plate or burst a tyre we are simple saying we are alive, that crashes happen and chaos is part of us. Often to find a little balance we must lose it and completely lose sight of the picture we belong to.

By actively giving grace in moments of mess, disruption and pause, we are given an opportunity to imbue kindness, creativity, laughter and embrace things just as they are - removing our heightened expectations.

A Danish friend of mine recently described the feeling of 'Hygge' as more than just the cosiness of home or a warm slice of cake with loved ones. The feeling of 'Hygge' is transferable and not so rigidly defined - it can be a piece of rich music, a walk with a great friend on an autumn afternoon, a hug or a gentle word of encouragement.

The expansive meaning of rituals like 'Hygge' elongate and extend what it is to love; much like what it is to live. We can adapt and invent what we expect of our days and nights; by creating space for calamity and chaos as part of a healthy, happy and messy life.

Accidents will absolutely happen and it is important to welcome them as part of the journey, to embrace the lessons they deliver and to find love, forgiveness and joy in ourselves and in others. Just as they are.

We may not always be moving as fast as we might hope or indeed be attaining what we think we should be attaining. In these moments it is important to take a step back to notice how far we have already come. To notice how mighty the steps we have and are already taking.

So say a little grace for your life, and for your mess - particularly when it feels like nothing is going your way. Recognise the merits and wonders that are already there and try to take a little joy and a little thanks for all that is yet to come.