Lessons From Aunt Grace

More than 15 years ago I inherited some old copies of Reader's Digest magazine. I grew up always thinking this was the coolest thing out there so considered this a treasure trove. I dreamt of publishing articles in it when I grew up. One issue from July 1984 had an article by Nardi Reeder Campion, titled "Lessons From Aunt Grace." I tore it out knowing I wanted to read it later. For years I have stumbled across that article when I'm sorting out boxes of odds and ends. Later kept getting pushed out, but it always intrigued me enough to continue storing the yellowed sheets of paper.

I had my own Aunt Grace, one of the most delightful women I've ever known. Last week I finally sat down and read through it. It's a precious story about the discovery of six simple steps to happiness, according to Aunt Grace, a Victorian woman. The diary entries this article is based on were written between 1901 and 1930 but are timeless.

She listed out six rules to live by but before I get to those, I want to add a couple of other quotes that resonated deeply with me.

"Clearly my situation is not going to change; therefore, I shall have to change." Ooh, those words kind of sting, don't they? But they are wise and can apply to so many situations we face. Sometimes, we truly need to change in order to survive a situation and change is usually growth. 

I wonder if it may apply to changing the way we see something. At this moment, I'm taking this as changing my perspective from a negative, fear-driven outlook to trying to find a positive and optimistic way of thinking. The final sentence is Aunt Grace's reminder to "Bloom where you are planted." The author reminds us to stop being "buried" in ourselves and to not wallow in self-pity. This is all good advice.

Back to Aunt Grace's rules to live by. She had some darkness in her own life that led her to create these. She wanted to be lifted from despair and she kept a journal of her daily activities for each of these rules.

1. Do something for someone else.

2. Do something for myself.

3. Do something I don't want to do that needs doing.

4. Do a physical exercise.

5. Do a mental exercise.

6. Do an original prayer that always includes counting my blessings.

I appreciate that the last one wasn't easy for her. She was distracted in church but found that a place of solitude overlooking their brook and pasture brought her into conversation with God. I'm reminded of a painting my late mother-in-law did and now I think I understand why I'm drawn to this one. I also readily find God in nature. 

I only had a snapshot of it from a weird angle, but you get the idea.

One More Thing...
Will you join me in trying out Aunt Grace's six rules this week? Tell me which one you think will be the most difficult for you. Is there one that comes naturally?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

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