For the past couple of years, I've heard and read about people picking one word to focus on for the upcoming new year. Not a list of goals or resolutions: just. one. word.
They discussed this on the radio last week on my way to the gym and my mind got stuck on the concept as I worked out.
What would my ONE WORD be for 2011? What ONE WORD would sum up all of the things I want to focus on...encompassing adjustments I want to make to my personality, habits and lifestyle? What ONE WORD would last for a whole year?
Self-control popped into my head. Maybe that's two words, but it's where my thoughts landed. I want more self control with food, with my tongue when reacting to my husband and kids, with my impulsiveness to do this or that right now.
But that didn't seem accurate enough.
Balance? Maybe it was balance. If my life were more balanced, maybe I wouldn't stress eat or lose my temper or feel overwhelmed by tasks on my to-do list.
That wasn't it either.
Then it hit me: GRACE. That is really what I need to focus on this year. Not being more graceful physically, Grace is cutting people slack, whether they deserve it or not. Grace is letting the little things slide. Grace is giving others the benefit of the doubt. Grace is releasing your expectations and allowing those around you to do things in their own way, in their timing, making mistakes without judgment.
We all need grace, but even more, we need to practice extending grace to others. So that's my word for 2011: GRACE.
What's your one word???
They discussed this on the radio last week on my way to the gym and my mind got stuck on the concept as I worked out.
What would my ONE WORD be for 2011? What ONE WORD would sum up all of the things I want to focus on...encompassing adjustments I want to make to my personality, habits and lifestyle? What ONE WORD would last for a whole year?
Self-control popped into my head. Maybe that's two words, but it's where my thoughts landed. I want more self control with food, with my tongue when reacting to my husband and kids, with my impulsiveness to do this or that right now.
But that didn't seem accurate enough.
Balance? Maybe it was balance. If my life were more balanced, maybe I wouldn't stress eat or lose my temper or feel overwhelmed by tasks on my to-do list.
That wasn't it either.
Then it hit me: GRACE. That is really what I need to focus on this year. Not being more graceful physically, Grace is cutting people slack, whether they deserve it or not. Grace is letting the little things slide. Grace is giving others the benefit of the doubt. Grace is releasing your expectations and allowing those around you to do things in their own way, in their timing, making mistakes without judgment.
We all need grace, but even more, we need to practice extending grace to others. So that's my word for 2011: GRACE.
What's your one word???
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6 comments:
great word choice for the year. I could definitely go with grace for my word as well. I'm thinking maybe generosity though...
awesome!
I'm focusing on genuine love - I know, two words, I know, but it's what kept coming back!
beautiful word! I heard the "Angels of the Harlem Gospel Choir" last year and since then I sometimes think about "amazing grace"!
As much as my word could be "Recovery" this year, I wanted to focus on others...I was served so beautifully last year (especially the last few months) that I knew the Lord wanted me to turn around and do the same thing this year. My word this year is "Serve." I don't think it's coincidence that our pastor just started a new series on servanthood Sunday. : )
Love it! Are you going to get a Lisa Leonard necklace with it? I just ordered my Word of the Year necklace and chose "Content". I've had a really difficult time with relocating back to Australia (my heart is not here, its back in Texas) but need to get content with my physical circumstances, take the bull by the horns and make a good life here for me and my family.
I love your word Katie, a lot of people picked that one on Ali Edwards blog for one little word. Good luck with it.
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