Each year, I choose one word that I focus on for the whole year. In 2013, it was faith. In 2014, it was hope. In 2015, it was gratitude. In 2016, it was enough. And, my one word for 2017 is patience.
If there is anything I need a lot of now, it is patience–patience for little things, such as answering my kids’ growing list of why’s, how’s, and what’s or putting an end to their constant brother-sister bickering. Patience for bigger things, such as finally having our house built so we can have our condo rented or my husband’s long overdue promotion to Senior Inspector.
As I look back to the year that was, I saw that I have thrown such childish tantrums over things that I should just allow to unfold at their own time. I guess I felt like we were being left behind despite our constant push to be at the same pacing as others. I only snapped out of my impatience when a friend pointed out that I might be forgetting that they are older than us by years (10 to be exact), and that when they were at my age, they weren’t even starting to think about such big things.
I realized that instead of focusing on my own path, I was looking at others’ paths to gauge how I am doing. But then our paths are unique; so is our timing, our pacing.
While it is totally okay to dream big, I need to learn to be patient with my hopes and dreams. I need to learn not to beat myself up too much because what matters is that I am working on achieving my dreams for myself and my family. I am moving–with tiny steps, but steps nevertheless.
But, most importantly, I need to learn that there is a right time for everything; and that God will make it happen when it is bound to happen.
Hence, this year, my focus word is PATIENCE. A simple word, but a challenging one for someone like me who tends to move too quickly.
What is your one word for 2017?