053. Julie Fudge Smith, CPDT-KA 

Extending grace to yourself and others

"Grace" is a complicated word. It conjures images of elegance, finesse, and fluidity. It's endowed with goodwill, kindness, and generosity.

Grace sounds effortless, but it's not!

Developing requires great self-awareness. Grace asks you to accept the reality of the moment just as it is, while also looking for the good in it now and the good that can come from it.

Julie Fudge Smith, CPDT-KA, and I have been friends for about 17 years. We've had lots of conversations about the highs and lows of life, and Julie has taught me a lot about grace. 

The simple truth is that no one's life is easy. Each of us will experience moments of heartbreak, loss, and misunderstanding. No one is immune. And no one should feel alone.

Grace is the art of recognizing our common humanity, seeing the bigger picture, understanding that someone else's experience of the same event may be very different than your own, and trying to always behave in a way that aligns with your core values and beliefs.

Your mindset and intentions matter most. Being clear about how you want to show up in your life will give you clarity about which choices to make.

It's easier to extend grace when you are feeling healthy and strong. When you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and just trying to make it through the day, it can be hard to extend grace to yourself or others.

What will support you in giving yourself and others grace? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Links worth clicking

• A Positive Connection, Julie's dog training site and blog
• Your Family Dog podcast with Julie Fudge Smith and Tina Spring (check out Tina's UNLEASHED (at work & home) episode on authenticity)
• Animal-Centric Designs, Julie's artwork and notecards
• The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, Brene Brown
• Self-Compassion, The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, Kristin Neff

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