“What is your word for 2021?” I keep seeing this everywhere! How do I choose one word? My brain and thoughts are filled with so many words all the time…..choose one???

Over the weekend, it suddenly just clicked, the word found me.

When my son was in kindergarten he had the most amazing teacher. She was kind, sensitive, passionate, and a great listener.

I would watch as she interacted with the kids, their was a calmness about her that encouraged the children to participate, play, and engage with others.

When my son was in 5th grade and it was his last year at the school he was having a really hard time. The only person he felt comfortable talking to was his Kindergarten teacher.

He sat down with her. She just sat with him as he talked and cried and talked more. She just kept nodding her head….she said nothing.

When he was  done she looked at him and said, “It is really hard isn’t it?”

My son took a huge sigh and it looked like a million pounds were lifted off him.

What did she say that helped him????? What magic advise did she have that I didn’t have???

She listened.

She gave him the gift of her uninterrupted time, she let him be heard.

We rush in to make things better for our kids, our friends, our family, we give advise before we have really heard what the heart needs.

So my word for 2021 came to me as I remember my sons Kindergarten teacher, who also inspired my ways of teaching……Listen.

Listen…a never ending gift.

Listen….you will be amazed at what your heart and ears will hear❤️

Happy New Year🎉🥳