2017 Word of the Year: Gratitude

0

gratitude word of the year des moines moms blogAs I sat down to think about my word for 2017, I contemplated what my previous words of the year meant to me – Kindness, Learn, Dance. I was also reminded how hard the last month was. Early in December I had an emergency appendectomy. Amazing timing, right?? But it resulted in an outpouring of support from my family, friends, and neighbors.

I was floored by the number of people who stepped up to help us. Whether it was staying late while I was in the hospital undergoing surgery, shuttling my oldest to school, or loading us up with food and treats to last until I was back on my feet, I was beyond grateful. 

My word for 2017 is GRATITUDE.

I have written before about living in the moment and being thankful for the daily gifts around us. I want to go back to this. This year I want to slow down and be reminded of all the wonder around me.

I found an article online about the benefits of practicing gratitude:

“People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.”
–Derrick Carpenter, MAPP; Happify.com

Practicing gratitude would fulfill so many New Year’s Resolutions. In a cynical world, being able to express more compassion and kindness will be incredible. Wouldn’t it be nice if this was everyone’s resolution?

gratitude | Des Moines Moms BlogI got a Gratitude Journal to help me keep track of the things I am grateful for. As I wrote before, documenting the gifts you see and the things you are thankful for increases the odds of you feeling more positive.

Being grateful for what is around me shouldn’t stop with just me. I want to get my kids involved. It is important for me that they learn at a young age to express thanks and that they are grateful for all the things around them.

A quick pinterest search gave me thousands of ideas for how to incorporate gratitude activities into our daily lives. I plan on creating a Gratitude Jar for the girls.

By December 31, 2017, I hope I will have journal and a jar full of amazing things we noticed, appreciated, and loved throughout the year. I am also hoping our kids learn to stop and appreciate everything around them.

Here is to a year of being grateful and spreading kindness and thankfulness to everyone we meet!  

What is your word for 2017?

Save

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here