Elevation

“Elevation is when we're moved by good deeds done for others; gratitude when the deeds are done for us.”

A popular movement in education today is examining systems in place that encourage or recognize positive behavior. PBIS. I recently read an article on CNN, titled, Seeing the Pope help strangers made me tear up. Later I learned why, by Daniel Burke. The article was Mr. Burke’s account of his own personal journey trying to intellectually explain the emotions that overcame him when he saw Pope Francis blessing the elderly and poor.

Just reading the article made me tear up. Unlike Mr. Burke, I am an emotional person. I am a sanguine-phlegmatic after all. I have spent years “growing in virtue” by practicing moderation and humility. I have struggled daily to respond to conflict presented to me from the angst of many diverse situations in a clinical, objective manner while never sacrificing compassion and honesty. I joke often about God’s chosen path for me and know I MUST be His disciple and it MUST be His will because it is like choosing Daniel to fight Goliath.

Yet - here I am Lord.

Burke defines elevation as it was proposed by Thomas Jefferson, “Jefferson describes the effects of observing moral beauty, ‘When any ... act of charity or of gratitude,’ he wrote, ‘is presented to our sight or imagination, we are deeply impressed with its beauty or feel a strong desire in ourselves of doing charitable or grateful acts also.’ "

It’s not just “feeling good." It compels you to want to do something good as well.

How does your mindset and temperament affect your ability to be transformed by elevation during times of change? I argue that true leaders and true heroes emerge during times of change that find creative ways to model acts of charity and goodness despite seemingly impossible obstacles. Therefore, it is advantageous for us to practice this during ordinary times and rituals.

A fixed mindset might be crippled by a sense of mental paralysis. Yet, we are called to move beyond that. To have a growth mindset means to embrace fully the three greatest or theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity.

What are my obstacles to charity? I have identified two obstacles to charity that I experience.  The first is fear. The second is rationalizing. I fear that if I give what I have, upon the twists and turns of destiny my family will suffer because I was too liberal with my blessings.

Remember I am a sanguine and moderation is a virtue I have been intentional in accomplishing. This is exactly what leads me to rationalize the times I make decisions out of self preservation. Another cross! It seems like a vicious circle. I want to be a saint so badly - the saint that empties myself out in every way to fulfill God’s plan.

 I am realizing this tension is normal and God loves me through it so long as we (He and I) keep talking about it. For this I have gratitude, something that comes much more naturally to me and elevates me daily to rise above negativity or other temptations that present themselves.

Today, I challenge you to be elevated by being in the present moment and open your eyes and hearts to intimate moments of selfless love around you - those that present themselves in simple ways and those that exceed our own personal realm of possibility. May they transform us in God’s grace and His will for our lives and His kingdom.