My Word for 2017. #LifeThisWeek 2/52. 2017.5.
My word is KINDNESS.
I know the world is a better place for kindness from others and given to others. 
I also want to focus more on offering Loving-Kindness to myself first…and then to more people along the way.
Glen Campbell’s words ring true in this beautiful video representation of kindness from a video I liked most which is from a Christian perspective. Whether a ‘believer’ or not, there IS something about the reaching out to others to connect us that MAKES kindness so very important. Glen’s music was such a part of my life and I am saddened that he passed away after a long illness but the gift that is his music remains.
For that I am grateful.
The lyrics: Try A Little Kindness Glen Campbell
If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he’s sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say, you’re going the wrong way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
Don’t walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you’ll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
Repeat last verse.
Songwriters: BOBBY AUSTIN, CURT SAPAUGH © OBO APRA/AMCOS
For non-commercial use only. Data from: LyricFind
Kindness is a great word.
Thanks Leanne…I need it for me too! D xx
Oh I remember that song! It’s a lovely word. Mine this year is adventure…says it all, really.
It is a song that DOES stick doesn’t it? I think I will be very interested in following your word in 2017!
Oh, and thanks for the ear worm – I can’t get the song out of my head now! 🙂
If you grew up around the time our kids grew up, this man would have been part of the albums played in your household too!
Kindness describes you to a tea (tee?) and I’m sure you’re going to have a great year because of it.
I think I may have stolen my word from Leanne. I’m going with “focus” this year… I need to stop faffing around so much.
Aww, thanks love…I need to be kinder to me (I wrote about that yesterday) too. It’s ‘tee’ I believe. Hope that helps my word nerd journo mate!! Focus..good one! D xx
I hope to get organised this year. I love your ‘kindness’ word, it’s very selfless 🙂
Thanks Di. Kindness is best shared and I need the reminder to be more kind to myself which is another reason I selected it. D xx
Ah, kindness is definitely one of my favourite words.
Kindness and being non-judgemental are some things I hope to focus on this year.
Yes, I know what you mean. But don’t beat yourself up about the judgemental stuff too much as I believe it is a human trait. I guess it’s what we do with the judgement that counts!
A strong word for the year and a beautiful song. I love the idea of kindness overcoming blindness.
SSG xxx
Thank you SSG! I hope your year goes well.
I think kindness is a beautiful word to have chosen, we can all do with a little more of it in our lives
We sure can Sarah. Mostly to be kind to ourselves…I struggle with that as do many. Hope your 2017 is great. D xx
A great word Denyse and something the whole world could do with these days. If we all just did one act of kindness each day imagine how much happier the world would be. Have a beautiful week. xx
Thank you Sue!! I agree. I need to be more kindly towards myself and I am learning to be less ‘cross’ and more ‘kind’! Your lovely comment went to my spam folder, hence only seeing it now. I do have a terrific filter on the blog (Akismet) and you have commented before so I don’t know why that sometimes happens!
Great word Denyse and you really do encapsulate that already I think!
Thanks Deb. I accept the compliment graciously. I am trying my best to be kinder towards me…I think you know what I mean! D x
Kindness is a great word to choose and I think it’s one you share through the blogging community very well!
Thank YOU Vanessa, I hope that it does help others too. You are very kind! Denyse x
Loved your word Denyse – the world needs all the kindness it can get. I think if everyone picked an unselfish word for the year and lived by it the world would be a much nicer place!
Thank you Leanne. The world DOES need all the kindness it can get!
Great word and great song! Love it. I’ve never really gotten on board with this one word thing before but I do need to move more, so move it is. Now I have to actually do it!
I was MOVED when I read this Ness! Go for it. Denyse x
Brilliant song!! Such apt words. A great song for kids to learn about respect. The pic of the soldier got me — very touching.
I know! I also realise that I added a faith-based vid but the messages are universal about kindness aren’t they?
Yes.
Indeed.
Kindness is a great word and I love those words. We can all show a little more kindness I think. My word for this year is breathe. It will be hard but I am going to try to just breathe and not sweat the small stuff so much.
Oh Suzy, I need to remember that word ALL the time! Breathing and lessening my stressors go together. Thank you so much for the reminder! Thanks for your lovely words too. Denyse x
Great song, I used to love singing along to it. Haven’t heard it for many, many years! That one and the song by John Denver called ‘Some Days Are Diamonds’ used to really get to me. I sort of came across my word when I wrote my end of year post for 2016…. it seemed to be the focus and someone in the comments said how much they liked ‘my word’. I didn’t realise until I read the comment that it looked like I had a ‘word’! It made sense when I re-read what I’d written… the word was simplify!
Yes, I too know that song well. There are songs which fit much of life’s challenges and experiences aren’t there? Maybe we all need to pay more attention to the words!! Simplify is the best!!
Love your word and your mandala. I love that you are seeing it as both kindness towards others and loving kindness towards yourself. Xx
Thank you Deb. It IS a daily struggle for me to be kind inwardly and I need to be as my health issues are not going to improve without compassion and care. I am slowly getting there!!
I love your word Denyse and more so the meaning and intention behind it. What a beautiful way to think, – and the world could do with a whole truckload of kindness right now, from us all.
It certainly would be Jodi. I thought a lot about kindness becoming my word as I realised I needed to be kinder in my words to others and those back to me. I hope your year is a great one too!
I love your choice of word Denyse. I think everyone can benefit from a little more kindness, especially in today’s society. People nowadays seem to have become more judgemental (esp on Facebook) and have forgotten how to communicate empathy and with kindness. Have a wonderful year Denyse x 🙂
Thank you so much Julie. You are right about the kindness message and its for me that I have taken to word on..to be more kindly towards others (no-one knows what anyone’s struggle is) and to myself.
As for social media it can be much more nasty than ever in some places and people need to take themselves away from it if they cannot be kind or compassionate. SO much judging without knowing circumstances and more. Have a good year this year too, I know it has some big changes for your family! Denyse
Kindness is a great word Denyse and with the self-compassion stuff you are reading and practising, it’s even better! I watched a bit of LKM when I was studying an online positive psych course and I must admit, it didn’t sit well with me. However, I might look at it again.
Lucky I am retired because I am putting a lot of my energies into the new(to me) practices of mindfulness, self compassion and the like. Reading and learning from a range of people, who in the end have many similarities coming from a Buddhist-philosophy is helping a great deal. Oh, the first time I learned about Loving Kindness was around 18 months ago and it felt a bit fake now I have learned more…I see its essence more clearly. I do not sit with the statements for a long time, instead I have them as things I say to myself sometimes through the course of the day.
I believe when the ‘student is ready the teacher appears’ as this has been what’s happening to me!
Denyse
Kindness is a great word for you, Denyse – and you are showing it outwardly by setting up this link-up (amongst many other things). I hope it works well for you, especially in terms of self kindness (and I’ve chosen your word from last year – trust.) x
Thanks Helen, it is good to see you linking up too! My words are for us all but to learn to be kind to oneself rather than critical takes time and patience. I have a lot of the former, not much of the latter…so I continue to learn!
I am gravitating towards ‘change’, as my key word for 2017. There are lots of changes happening for me, with both my girls being at school this year. I am aware that I need to make changes to look after me this year, mentally and physically.
I love your word, kindness is such a beautiful sentiment. You may not realise it, but you exude kindness. It’s lovely x
When I read you words last night I was truly humbled by your compliment. I will accept it and take it on board…part of being kind to me!! Thank YOU.
I do agree that THIS year will be one of change for you…and some time for YOU is high in the agenda. I can’t wait to see what you get up to Alicia! Denyse xx
Definitely think the world could use more kindness. Especially to ourselves. What a lovely word you’ve chosen 🙂 I think it suits you
Thank you Tory…that is lovely of you to say. Hope 2017 is very kind to you too! Denyse x
Oh I love this – what a great pick. Not gonna lie. I love Glen Campbell and – this will age me – I am the proud owner of Glen Campbell’s Greatest Hits on vinyl. You’ll find us both in a museum one day…
Talk about late to respond! I am sorry it’s taken till now to see this comment Hugzilla! We had everyone of Glen’s hits on vinyl and CD too. Our kids grew up listening to Glen in the car!