I sat down a few weeks ago to brainstorm my thoughts for our focus in 2017. After praying, I made a list of thoughts, words, and scriptures that came to my mind. My mind kept settling on something to do with the word "courage." Eric and I talked about a few different ideas. But it wasn't until the day before we presented our theme to our kiddos that we settled on a phrase and a scripture.
Our 2017 family focus is Have Courage, and Be Kind
20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.
This phrase "Have courage and Be Kind" was the trendy latest-thing after the Cinderella movie came out so we hesitated to use it for fear it had been over used. We like the idea of carving our own path around here and not jumping on a bandwagon. But there was no way around it, the phrase was simple and to the point and exactly what we want to focus on this year.
Our goals this year are focused directly on this theme and have more to do with our character, our actions, and our thoughts.
Have Courage and
Be Kind
2017 family goals
Have courage
-to try new
things
-to stand for the
right
-to be friendly
-to act
-to face your
fears
-to be honest
-to show up
-to be involved
-to care
-to develop and
share your talents
-to choose the unpopular,
but right, choice
-to follow your
heart
-to communicate
clearly
-to look everyone
in the eye
-to say “I’m
sorry” or “I was wrong”
Be Kind
-notice others
-give compliments
-hold the door
for others
-show empathy
-give hugs
-smile
-be generous
-show gratitude
-say please and
thank you
-say “I’m sorry”
and be quick to forgive
-stay calm
-use a pleasant
tone of voice
-put others
before yourself
-don’t argue
-assume everyone
is trying their best
-give the benefit
of the doubt
-to yourself
When we presented the theme to our kids and talked together about what it means, I also found this quote that I just love. I read that this was on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta and it is based on writing published by Kent Keith. It's hanging on our quote board right now.
People are often
unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them
anyway.If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.If you are
successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.If you are honest
and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and
sincere anyway.What you spend
years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.If you find
serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.The good you do
today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.Give the best you
have, and it will never be enough. Give your best
anyway.In the final
analysis, it is between you and God. It was never
between you and them anyway.
So there you have it. We are ready for 2017!
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