Our Habits of Healthy

Words are powerful things. They can love and nurture us. They can degrade and hurt us. And unfortunately with the latter, we share them all too easily before we think them through. 

But when we do think them through thoughtfully, they can be empowering building blocks that change our immediate worlds and the greater world around us for the better. 

Starting in January 2021, I asked my work team to share a meaningful word at the end of our staff meetings. Whatever resonated with them in that moment. It didn't matter if it related to work or not either. Just one word that encapsulated how they felt right then and there. Words like:

• Grateful
• Invigorated
• Apprehensive
• Closure
• Compassion
• Unstuck
• Unity
• Celebration

And the list of words goes on and on. Just like our weekly family meetings where we share compliments, gratitude, appreciation and "noticing" -- something nice we notice about each other and/or ourselves that we share as a family -- and more. Words that love and nurture my wife, my children, and me, while also talking about the why of those that degrade and hurt us, if and when they arise. Putting a positive spread into practice, takes practice. 

For the past few years on New Year's Day, the executive director and founder of Kidpower International, the organization my wife works for, has asked the Kidpower community what word of phrase they'd use to describe the coming year. My wife's word this year is well-being, which means "the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy." Her wish for us all is to live with a sense of well-being in every moment.

Amen. My word for 2022 is "habit" -- of making empathy, love, and learning daily habits. Of taking care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Of having healthy relationships that are nurturing and reciprocally trusting and respectful of boundaries, without judgment. Habit literally means "a regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up," and literally the world we've lived in for the past two years has pushed many to the edge of giving up on these kinds of healthy habits. 

Let's reinvest in our habits of healthy this year. Blessings to you all and Happy New Year.