This quote came across my computer this morning, and it got me to thinking about how we keep score(s) in life.

Money is a way of keeping score in life, says T. Boone Pickens. But that is just for those who like playing the game. The real goal is to live with grace and dignity. You can do that with a small amount of money…or not do it with a fortune.
– Bill Bonner, financial journalist

How do we keep score? or, perhaps, how do we rate ourselves? I never really thought about it much. I tend not to want to play that game. Someone else always seems to be the winner!

If we think about raising children, keeping score starts as early as meeting in the parks, where moms share, bragging, about how early their kids learn the ABCs or can count to 10.

If we are keeping score in adoptions, people one-up themselves by what country they chose to adopt from.

Do we keep score by awards?

Do we only count if we win awards?

I hope not, for the great majority of folks are never up for any awards.

I loved the idea in this quote of having the goal of expressing grace and dignity no matter our circumstances. It’s an honest assessment of knowing we sometimes fall short.

I recently witnessed someone with a great deal of grace and dignity in a score keeping moment. I commented on it to the person, because it warmed my heart.

Moments of grace or dignity, when impossible to do on our own, are divine.

Have you witnessed such moments or been the one expressing them? What do you think about keeping score in life? Do you do it or know someone who does?

Karin

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