Welcome to 2013
Kate Sprutta Elliott
Jan 3, 2013 
9 Comments
I don’t know about you, but I only have one New Year’s resolution this year. I suppose if you looked at me, you might suggest a few others, such as “join a gym,” “eat less cheese,” and maybe “find a new hair stylist.” And it’s true—I probably should do all three and then some. And maybe I will. But those are not going to be my main focus.
My New Year’s resolution for 2013 is simple: to take time every day to practice gratitude. I want to make time and space in my daily life–full and harried as it can sometimes be–to reflect on the many blessings of this life and to actively thank God for them. I want to cultivate the serenity and kindness that comes from telling God, “in whom we live, and move, and have our being” (as the Book of Common Prayer says) thank you. Every day. Thank you. More than once a day. Thank you.
Gratitude doesn’t cost you anything (unlike, say, a gym membership) except a little time. Well, that and the willingness to give up being negative, cynical, and whiney (which, for some of us, is hard to do).
I think that by being mindful and grateful, I will treat people with more generosity and compassion. I will say thank you more often. I will listen more carefully. Mindfulness slows you down in a good way. Gratitude gives you the gift of joy. And I am hoping that it will be contagious!
This doesn’t mean that I don’t hope to see and do great things in 2013. I have a lot of goals and dreams for this new year, both personally and professionally. There are a lot of things I am praying for and hoping for—peace in the Middle East, alleviation of poverty in this country and abroad, reduction of violence (especially gun violence), renewed efforts to ensure the rights of women around the globe, the elimination of racism and bigotry, and the protection and healing of our fragile planet environment. Those are big things that we need to work on as a community, as a society. But for me on a personal everyday level, I am going to try to develop a constant attitude of gratitude.
What about you? Do you have a New Year’s resolution? Do you have big dreams and hopes for 2013?
Kate Elliott is editor of Gathermagazine.
Comments (9)
I’ve been very mindful of NOT making resolutions to ring in any New Year. It simply sets me up for failure and a dishonest self. I know from the beginning I’ll not keep those kinds of promises to myself. But I will try to be more patient in my everyday life, ever mindful of others and where they may be in their lives, and grateful for others by the simple words-Thank You! It is a delight to hear my young granchildren say Thank You. Imagine what those simple words do for others? It is the common ordinary manners for which I believe society sorely lacks and given the use of manners and kind words, it might set people to stop and take notice. Being patient is also an area where we might reveal great compassion. Let others use the elevator first, allow someone in the checkout line to go first, signal the other person at the stop sign to go ahead of you. What is everyone in such a hurry for anyway (other than a bathroom break!)? Sometimes haste doesn’t get the desired results.
I agree Kate-let us resolve to try gratitude and compassion!
indeed gratitude does not cost anything, but to be truly grateful we must be aware of all that we have and not be blind to our blessings.
I also avoid gyms. The way I see it, the whole outside is my gymnasium which reminds me, my snowshoes await!
Was so lucky to receive the book “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown this Christmas… in it there is a mention of what I think you are getting at here in terms of gratitude and compassion. She asks us as the readers to consider the erratic and crazy driver that just passed us on the road, that person that makes us aggravated and upset. Then she says to remember a time when we might have driven a bit more carelessly either because we were worried, scared, or vulnerable. Far more often people we encounter who are “less than” in some way are not evil or callous or thoughtless. They are instead burdened, frightened, or flawed… just like us. It is our vulnerability that connects us… if we will let it.
This year I am hopeful that I will offer more grace and compassion to others… and that in relating to their suffering, I might be more aware and thankful for the blessings that I have in my own life.
Thanks Kate for the reminder…
And when we express gratitude, there’s a benefit to us as well. Check out this article on the health benefits of being grateful: “In general, research has associated the regular practice of gratitude with physical benefits, such a stronger immune system, and higher levels of broad positive emotions as well as social benefits, such as being more forgiving, outgoing and feeling less lonely and isolated.”
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/science-shows-feeling-grateful-can-improve-your-life-2013-1#ixzz2GwbSrpsZ
How great is that?
The years teach me more gratitude–for experience brings more and more reasons for being thankful, humble, and patient; and so I use teaching to expand my gratitude. Being conscious of the need to point out a different perspective to my children and granddaughters keeps it right up front with me. My dad always said I did things backwards, but the responsibility of being an example always helps me to examine, then “grow,” myself.
These comments are wonderful! Very insightful. I bought a pretty blank book to use as a gratitude journal for the year. I thought that if I come across photos or newspaper or magazine articles that inspire me to be grateful, I could paste those in. And, of course, I could write my own reflections. At the end of the year, I will be eager to read back over the things that kept me mindful and grateful. Thanks for your feedback!
That picture of a cardinal must be something to be thankful for. I wish they lived here, for they are so beautiful. Seeing them when I visit the Midwest is a treat.
Have you heard of a happy jar? I saw one on Pinterest the other day. Here’s a blog link to the same idea: http://richellephant.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-happy-jar.html. Seems to me you could adapt the happy jar idea to a gratitude jar (sort of what Kate is doing with the gratitude journal). It’s just another way to intentionally practice gratitude each day and record that gratitude. Then at the end of the year you can look back on the year and see all that you have appreciated. Or, why wait until 12/31/13? There might be some hard days ahead … open up the jar and bask in the beauty of what has been.
I am going to try really hard “live in the moment” as my mother calls it. I am a huge projector, planner, and worrier. This is why my prayer life is very active. I am a very grateful person for all of life’s little things. I have to work very hard each day, to quiet my thoughts! I am grateful for all the spiritual support that I receive through my many relationships!