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 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).
This is adapted from “Welcome to 2013,” written by Kate Sprutta Elliott, that was first published on the Women of the ELCA blog on January 3, 2013.
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