2018 Word of the Year

Each year, I like to choose a word that I'll try to live by throughout the whole year.  #onelittleword is a hashtag you can use on social media to find other people's word.

My word for last year was intentional.  My goal was to live life with intention.  I realized that I tend to waste a lot of time (on social media and spending time on the trivial things in life).  How did I do?  I started the year strong with my plans for being more intentional, but they started slacking half way through.  Once summer arrived, my intentions slipped.  I will say that I was more intentional about life than I have been in the past, so that was a good start.  This year, I'm going to continue to try and live more intentional.  But I have another word that I need to live by more.

My #onelittleword for 2018 is...

I tend to dwell in the things I don't have and live life envious of others for what they have.  I've been trying to break this cycle and it's been a slow process.  This year, I'm going to show gratitude for the things I do have.  The things I'm grateful for.  I truly feel blessed in life, even if I may never receive the things I desire so much.  

I can't speak for you, but I know that I take things for granted.  I don't always thank the One who gives us all we have.  We all have rough patches in life, and I know that I don't always come out of those times being the most grateful.  

I'd like to say that I plan to keep a gratitude journal to track all the things, both big and small, that I'm grateful for in my life.  But I'm the worst at tracking things, so I'm not even going to pretend that is something I'm going to do.  I will, however, spend my days, especially in the rough times, finding those small moments for which I'm grateful.  

I want to spend 2018 (and beyond) grateful for where God has placed me in life, grateful for the circumstances He has placed me in, and grateful for the people He has caused to come into my life.  

I graduated from high school 10 years ago.  When we graduate, I think it's normal to imagine where we'll end up 10 years down the road.  I had big dreams for my life.  I had a picture in my head of where I would be 10 years after high school.  I may not currently be living my '10 year dream,' but I'm grateful that God has placed me right where I am.

There are so many ways that I plan to show gratitude and find the things that I'm extremely grateful for.  Have you ever participated in the #onelittleword challenge?  What is your #onelittleword for 2018?