Through the Eyes of Grace
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
Why is it so easy to spot someone’s faults, yet so hard to notice their virtues? It's as if we’ve trained our eyes to hunt for cracks in the glass instead of marveling at the light streaming through it. And the tongue? Oh, the tongue. It’s quick to lash out, sharp like a whip, and often tastes nothing sweeter than its own bitterness. But what do we gain from this? Does tearing someone down ever make us taller?
I’ve thought about this a lot why it’s so tempting to fixate on the messy parts of people. Maybe it’s because flaws are loud. They demand attention, like a squeaky wheel. Goodness, though, it’s quiet. It takes patience and intention to notice. And let’s be honest, patience isn’t exactly a hot commodity these days.
When I was younger, my grandmother used to tell me, “Son, the tongue was made for blessing, not bruising.” I didn’t get it then. I thought words were just words. But I’ve seen how they can carve deep wounds, how a single phrase can linger in someone’s heart like a splinter. And I’ve seen the opposite too how a kind word can feel like a hand reaching out to pull you from the depths.
Let’s ask ourselves a tough question: Why do we sometimes enjoy speaking ill of others? What is it about gossip or criticism that feels so satisfying in the moment? Maybe it gives us a fleeting sense of superiority, a way to distract from our own imperfections. But that high doesn’t last, does it? It leaves us emptier than before.
The truth is, when we focus only on what’s wrong with others, it’s like walking through life with blinders on. We miss the bigger picture. We stumble. We fall. A narrow vision traps us in a loop of negativity, and that’s no way to live.
One time, I met a man who had every reason to be bitter. Life had handed him one hard blow after another, yet he radiated kindness. Curious, I asked him how he managed to stay so gentle. He smiled and said, “I look for the gold in people, even when it’s buried deep. That’s how I stay rich in spirit.” That stuck with me.
Imagine what the world would be like if we all did that if we trained our eyes to search for the gold instead of the dirt. If our tongues tasted kindness more often than criticism. Kindness is like a balm. It soothes. It restores. It builds bridges where judgment burns them down.
So, let’s rewrite the story. Let’s use our eyes to see people as they could be, not just as they are. Let’s use our words to heal wounds, not inflict them. Because when we choose to speak with compassion and see with grace, we’re not just helping others we’re setting ourselves free too.
The Creator gave us these gifts: eyes to witness beauty, a tongue to spread kindness, and a heart capable of so much love. Let’s not waste them on narrow visions and harsh judgments. Let’s open our eyes, soften our speech, and widen our hearts.
Kindness doesn’t just make the world brighter. It transforms us. And isn’t that the point? To grow, to learn, and to love better every single day.
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The meaning of the abstract image used in this reflection. This image paints a powerful contrast between judgment and grace.
On one side, there’s the shadowed face, all sharp edges and coldness. It’s like looking at the world through a lens that only highlights flaws—a harsh and narrow way to see people.
Opposite it is the face glowing in soft, golden light, radiating warmth, kindness, and compassion. It reminds us of how beautiful life looks when we focus on what’s good in others.
The two faces are linked by a bridge made of glowing threads. It’s not just a connection; it’s a journey. A reminder that moving from judgment to understanding takes effort but brings us closer to something brighter.
Behind it all, the background fades from dark gray to warm gold and pink, mirroring the shift from negativity to hope and enlightenment.
The dreamlike flow of the image feels almost alive, like kindness and compassion weaving their magic. It nudges us to ditch the habit of picking others apart and instead, search for the gold hidden within. It’s a visual reminder to open our hearts, look a little deeper, and choose grace over judgment every time.
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