You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
When Catherine told me about this (tragedy nearby), I could only say, shocked, "Dear God, that family needs grace." She replied firmly, "That family needs casseroles," and then proceeded to organize the entire neighborhood into bringing that family dinner, in shifts, every single night, for an entire year. I do not know if my sister fully recognizes that this _is_ grace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of practical support in times of crisis rather than just spiritual sympathy.
In this quote, Elizabeth Gilbert narrates an incident where a tragedy affects a family, and instead of only offering words of empathy, her sister takes actionable steps to provide tangible support, illustrating that grace can manifest through practical acts of kindness like providing meals. This insight suggests that true compassion often involves direct help and community engagement rather than just well-intentioned thoughts or prayers.
Themes
GraceSupportCommunityKindnessCompassion
In practice
Example use cases
Sharing this quote during a community meeting to encourage acts of kindness among neighbors.
More from Elizabeth Gilbert
All quotes →Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
I had always been taught that the pursuit of happiness was my natural (even national) birthright. It is the emotional trademark of my culture to seek happiness. Not just any kind of happiness, either, but profound happiness, even soaring happiness. And what could possibly bring a person more soaring happiness than romantic love.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
When I tried this morning, after an hour or so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into my meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind's workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being--and a normal one, at that?
Elizabeth GilbertRead
And when you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of that happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt - this is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life; it is your duty to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
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