Grace collapses time

My Godfather, Uncle Leo, shared this idea with me:

My interpretation of “grace” in Uncle Leo’s phrase is the acts of forgiveness. It’s the extension of understanding to someone who’s “done wrong” to us. It’s releasing any grudges that still exist.

What does he mean it “collapses time”?

Well, holding on to a grudge means that we’re still shackled to the past and carrying the effects of those past actions into the future.

By choosing to let go of the past, we can finally arrive in the present, and move forward into the future without all this unnecessary baggage.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve held grudges before. I’ve been holding grudges since I was a lil kiddo. When someone pushed me on the playground, then my natural learned response was “I hate you! I’m not talking to you anymore.”

I’ve been on the giving and receiving end of the grudge-inspired silent treatment this year. (We’re all just grown-up kids after all.)

However, holding a grudge is uncomfortable. I’m holding someone’s past action against them. So, by definition, the past is impacting my present-moment experience. But, the instance I forgive them, I’m invited to live fully in the present. And I invite this other person to join me here too (if only they’re able to forgive themselves).

Let go of the past.

Arrive in the present.

Build a bridge of connection together in the future.

Showing grace is always worth it, even if you have to do so begrudgingly.