I hadn’t intended to do resolutions or set an intention, but I saw an experiment posted by Gabrielle Treanor. I am eagerly awaiting kindle delivery of her new book, so this was an easy way to jumpstart things on a 1% wellness journey. I had started thinking about what to choose for split second when the word popped into my head. My word is
If you are a Christian, you will understand this word in a certain way, but I know many of my readers aren’t so I will try to look at grace from multiple angles, and I would appreciate learning about how other people define this word.
For me, grace is every generous gift in my life that I have done nothing to deserve. Grace is not a payment for “being good” or obeying the rules, it is not a transactional thing. For me as a Christian, it is God’s selfless gift of presence in my life.
Outside of Christian theology, grace has a broader definition. Grace is any unmerited gift or favor. Acting in a way that is selfless is bestowing grace. We can all give and receive grace from each other. In a world so divided, in a US election year, we could all benefit from more grace. We can stop belittling those who don’t think, act and look like us. A kind word, a helping hand when none is asked-these are moments of grace.
In terms of how I would like this word to guide me this year, these are my thoughts:
Resist the divisions that the media and politicians are stoking 24/7.
Be kinder to people I interact with. Everyone seems more stressed these days, so don’t add to it. Another word for this is being gracious, isn’t it?
Stop nurturing petty grievances and move on, whether or not someone has apologized.
Be kinder to myself and try to age more gracefully. Understand my limitations and stop fighting them.
Be less self-reliant and give others the opportunity to help me.
Be alert for the grace inherent in all of creation and give thanks for it.
Give my art and craft to the world as a reflection of God’s grace.
Pause daily to give thanks for all graces received.
Grow the grace of being contended with what I have, without coveting more material possessions.
Given my personality is a bit curmudgeonly, this is a tall order for me. But I am willing to try and I will capture my progress in my journaling. I celebrated the new year by cracking open a new journal and wrote a lot of these thoughts down before I wrote this post, along with a prayer begging for specific grace to grow in this direction.
Thanks for reading. Is grace a meaningful word for you? Or does my list of how I will try to live more a more grace-filled year work better for you wrapped up in some other word? Do you feel a need for more grace in your life? Do you think it can make a difference in a world so fractured? Let me know in the comments.
Grace was my word for 2023 and it was so timely and created some profound changes in my life. Such a lovely and a life lived with Grace is beautiful! I hope you will share your journey with this word throughout the year!
Love picking Grace as your word! Mine is Ascend. Blessings to you in your artist life. 🙏🏼✍🏼