As the New Year came and went, I saw many people choosing one word to focus on for this New Year. At the time nothing really struck me for mine, and then it suddenly came to me: My One Word – GRACE.

Grace has a myriad of  definitions when you look it up in the dictionary. I chose to use it as a noun, referring to courteous goodwill. There are many things coming down the road in our life this year that are going to require me to improve on this character trait.

So in this New Year these words that define grace are the traits I am most hoping will shine through.

GRACE

Regard

Regard means to consider or think of (someone or something) in a specified way; to show attention to or concern for something; or used to express friendliness and best wishes.

It is my hope that in the face of our most stressful situations this year that I will shore care, concern and consideration for others around me. That I will be able to see outside of what I am feeling and be sure to consider the thoughts, feelings, and well being of those around me.

Courtesy

Courtesy is the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behavior towards others by polite speech or action.

I tend to be quick to slice with my tongue. When questioned or challenge I can often lash out without regard for the other person. It is my goal to think before I speak, and consider my actions and words in relation to those in my life.

Acceptance

Acceptance is the action of taking or receiving something that is offered, or moreover in the case of my quest for GRACE, it is the willingness to tolerate a difficult or unpleasant situation.

Life doesn’t always deal us sunshine and roses, sometimes it deals us lemons. In the face of what life deals out I am hoping to not only find acceptance for myself, but for those around me. Sometimes things are what they are, and that means they are hard sometimes. Hard doesn’t mean bad, change isn’t always bad.

This thought makes me think of the Serenity Prayer.

Respect

Respect is defined as having regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions of someone else.

People deserve respect, no matter their age or situation. This is something we are working on with our children as well. We strive to both give respect as well as to receive it from each other. Children deserve respect too.

Decency

Decency – how many times do I talked to my children about “common decency”. Something they often do not show with each other.

Decency refers to behavior that conforms to accepted standards or morality and respect.

We are all human, we all hurt, and bleed, get disappointed, and feel sad. It is our job to show a little compassion, and use forethought when dealing with others, and ourselves.

“I’m only human. I bleed when I fall down. I’m only human and crash and I break down. Your words in my head, knives in my heart.“

I often do not cut myself any slack in the above trait categories. My goal this year is to not only show myself some GRACE, but to extend my GRACE to others in my life.

What is your ONE WORD for this year?