This year instead of making a list of new year's resolutions, I've been inspired by Aileen from Lavendaire to set a theme for 2017. A theme is a great way to begin the new year with intention.
Recently, I got the chance to catch up on one of my favorite day time shows - Ellen. If you haven't watched her show before, Ellen always starts the show with a funny monologue followed by dancing and ends the show by saying the phrase Be kind to one another. When I heard her say this the first couple of times I watched the show, I just thought to myself... what a nice and positive message to end the show with. But the more frequently I heard this phrase, I started to wonder why Ellen chose the word kind and not nice... why not just Be nice to another?
The more and more I thought about it, I began to dissect the word nice versus kind. I really didn't get much help from the dictionary, but these articles (1 | 2 | 3) did help shed some light on this topic. I don't agree with these articles 100%. Nonetheless, they both have led me to decide on my theme for 2017 - Be Kind.
So here are some goals for 2017 with the intention to be kind.
Be kind to my body
Be kind to my mind
My hope is that this theme will help guide me through different areas in my life. Not simply to set goals and feel defeated if I fail to follow through, but with hopes that it will help me to be consciously aware of the intention with which I want to live my life this year. By the end of 2017, I'm hopeful that this intention will be so engraved in my mind that it will lead me to naturally practice kindness moving forward.
What might be your theme for 2017?
Recently, I got the chance to catch up on one of my favorite day time shows - Ellen. If you haven't watched her show before, Ellen always starts the show with a funny monologue followed by dancing and ends the show by saying the phrase Be kind to one another. When I heard her say this the first couple of times I watched the show, I just thought to myself... what a nice and positive message to end the show with. But the more frequently I heard this phrase, I started to wonder why Ellen chose the word kind and not nice... why not just Be nice to another?
The more and more I thought about it, I began to dissect the word nice versus kind. I really didn't get much help from the dictionary, but these articles (1 | 2 | 3) did help shed some light on this topic. I don't agree with these articles 100%. Nonetheless, they both have led me to decide on my theme for 2017 - Be Kind.
So here are some goals for 2017 with the intention to be kind.
Be kind to my body
- walk 10,000 steps in a day
- sleep 6 to 7 hours
- fuel it with natural foods and water
Be kind to my mind
- meditate once a day (start with 2 minutes)
- forgive myself and others daily
- continue to live with gratitude every day
Be kind to others
- pause before reacting to others
- do something unselfish for someone every day
- respect versus just please others
Be kind to my money
- use it to buy with intention and not always to fulfill a desire
- this is inspired by Carly's goal to "intentionally dine out"
- use it to be kind to others
- respect my purchases
Be kind to my home
- respect my surroundings and keep it tidy
- only bring items into my home that bring value and joy
- fill my home with a positive vibes
My hope is that this theme will help guide me through different areas in my life. Not simply to set goals and feel defeated if I fail to follow through, but with hopes that it will help me to be consciously aware of the intention with which I want to live my life this year. By the end of 2017, I'm hopeful that this intention will be so engraved in my mind that it will lead me to naturally practice kindness moving forward.
What might be your theme for 2017?
