I love linking to Lisa’s monthly Word of The Year link up. I’ve been trying to write the post for October for a couple of weeks now, but something or the other seems to come in the way. The latest was that both José and I have been down with quite a bad attack of the ‘flu. The irony is that I think we got the bug at a pathology lab when I went for a routine blood test! Anyway, it has set us back quite a bit physically and we’re recovering slowly. It seemed like through these 10 days I was being reminded that I need to be saying yes to gratitude no matter what!
Saying Yes To Gratitude
One of the main thoughts that kept reverberating in my mind in October was what are the themes and topics that are close to my heart.
Gratitude is certainly one of them. Readers of this blog will know how often I write on this subject. But I sense a calling to go deeper in this practice and in writing about it.
As if to affirm this decision of mine, I was asked to conduct a short course on Gratitude for a small group of employees from a corporate. I enjoyed doing this session and this has kickstarted an idea to offer courses on gratitude through the year.
So as I said ‘yes’ at the start of 2021, I’m saying a big YES to gratitude towards the end of it!
Too Early for 2022’s Word of the Year?
I usually start working on my WOTY for the following year in December. But this year, a word has been popping into my head, and then appearing mysteriously in stuff that I’m reading. For the first time, I discussed my word choice with José and he offered some insights on this that resonated with me.
I’m not telling you what the word is just yet, but I’m wondering if you have started working on your WOTY for 2022?
Have a wonderful month ahead!
Hi Corinne – how lovely to get to speak about practising gratitude – there can never be enough thankfulness in the world IMHO. Now you’ve made me curious about your next #WOTY. I struggled with mine this year and last year, but I’ve had several that have come to mind over the last few months – I’m narrowing it down in the hope I’ll have one that rises to the top by January.
You’re right – we have a gratitude deficit of sorts that we need to remedy.
I didn’t realize that you were struggling with your WOTY. Wishing that the ‘right’ word for 2022 comes your way!
I love your focus on saying yes to gratitude, Corinne! Yesterday I started the book “Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks” by Diana Butler Bass to give me a nudge to focus more on my blessings.
Ah, that sounds like a book I’d like to read. Checking it out. Thanks, Lisa.
Corrinne,
Thanks for this. The first thing my new therapist asked me to do was to practice 21 Days of Gratitude in the form of 21 links to videos and articles that taught about how gratitude changes and heals the brain! It was pretty awesome. More of this, always good.
That’s great, Tess. I hope it helps.
I had not given a thought about WOTY but thanks for the reminder Corinne, I have experienced, committing on a word consciously helps in influencing behaviour. I will give it a thought.
And practising gratitude transforms life positively in so many ways.
I’m an WOTY addict now, Akshata! It really helps me.
Of the many blessings that touched my life in 2021 and made me happy, gratitude was one of those, as it helped see me through the most challenging times. Saying ‘yes’ to gratitude is a beautiful reminder to all of us, to be able to appreciate everything that comes our way—the good, the bad and the ugly! In the recent years, I’ve also realised how practising gratitude in a conscious way becomes truly transformative, helping us grow to be the best version of ourselves.