As January comes to an end, I’m grateful for everyday grace – that came to me in so many ways in the ordinary days. January’s theme for me was grounded. Choosing slow mornings, steady rituals, and being present instead of rushing shows me that repeating things with care makes them meaningful. I’m learning to stay rooted right where I am, trusting that this gentle beginning matters.
Grateful For Everyday Grace
This month, what worked well was choosing a slower, more intentional rhythm. Making space for stillness, writing regularly, and beginning the day with grounding practices helped me feel steadier, even when things felt uncertain.
What didn’t work was trying to do too much on some days. Pushing through instead of pausing only added to the tiredness. What’s worth carrying forward into the rest of the year is the commitment to gentleness: listening to my limits, trusting small steps, and returning to what grounds me.
4 Words To End January
I’m returning to the practice of ending the month with the 4 word practice that I learned from Sarah Westfall. While Sarah’s practice just names the words, I would like to extend to share a little more about each of them.
Everyday grace sees me through each day, even the hard ones (and there have been quite a few of those) and the challenges life throws. But these are things that have kept me grounded.
Love –
The everyday kind I experienced from José, Lucky and my friends. But also the super nice kind of hugs, little gifts, time spent together and concern extended regularly. Grateful and blessed to have a small circle of friends who do this. And then there’s the very special kind of love that José and I celebrate tomorrow – 19 years of marriage. Always grateful for how we have grown closer over the years.
Faith –
Over the last year, I’ve seen myself grow deeper in faith. Yes, there are days when I give in to despair, but most days I’m certain that God is in control not just of my life but of the chaos that is the world right now. I’m grateful that José and I have found some good faith rituals to do together at the start and the end of each day. Grateful to Meredith Hite Estevez, who mentioned The Pray As You Go Devotional app on her Substack. It’s truly a great way to reflect and pray.
Writing –
I’ve been doing loads of it this month. On my blogs, but more so in my journals and quietely doing a 26 day challenge on Hope Writers. And really, writing is what keeps me grounded.
Community –
Also so grateful for the two writing communities I’m a part of. Our Writing Wednesday group that meets on. for an hour and in which we write together, separately! And the Write Bravely initiative I started in December. Writing to prompts seeing how different people respond so uniquely to prompts has been fantastic (I complile these on Substack here). Our monthly marathons have been quite inspiring too. There’s the small community of three – we studied The Artist’s Way together last year, and this year we’re working through You Can Heal Your Life. Being able to share the things that inspire us and challenge us in a safe space has been wonderful.
And the One Word community created by Lisa of Lisa Notes that I’m adding this link to.
As we move into February, I wish you, dear reader, peace and the knowledge that you are special.
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Hi Corinne – I love your word “grace” because it is such a great reminder of how blessed we all are, and to keep thinking about all those small, daily joys and encounters that make for a really good life. It’s easy to be upset and annoyed if we look at all the unfairness or irritations, so it’s good to turn that on its head and to focus our attention on the many, many delights that life brings our way.
I’m so happy to read here that you are finding so much satisfaction and joy in your writing! There’s grace all around us—may we have eyes to see it and hearts ready to receive it!
Your word, rooted, seems to be teaching you many of the same lessons that I am learning from my word, stay. I love how God uses this community to make each of us better.
I really enjoy this format…and your way of looking back over the past month. What worked and what did not work. I think this is great idea for considering one’s word for the year. Thanks. I really enjoyed your blog and visiting here today!
Slowing down always helps, doesn’t it? I love your January theme of “Grounded”—it makes me think of meditation and peace.
Wishing you a peaceful February, Corinne!
Oh, I love this so much, Corinne: “trusting that this gentle beginning matters.”
I believe it does matter. My word for February to go along with Shift is Pace, i.e. slow it down, not speed it up. I tend to be more relaxed when I’m not rushing.
I’ve not heard of the Four Word Reflections, but what a fantastic practice. You always inspire me, friend.