One Little Word 2010
I am a fan of welcoming the new year with open arms. I love fresh starts, new opportunities, clean slates, possibilities.
Back in January 2007, as a way to celebrate these beginnings, I started a public tradition of choosing a single word to focus on over the course of the year.
Many of you are familiar with this tradition and have been joining me in selecting a new word each year. If this is your first time reading about the idea of one little word I recommend taking a few minutes to read my original post here.
Here's a look at my words from the past three years with links to the original posts.
2007 : Peace [ read my post for 2007 ]
2008 : Vitality [ read my post for 2008 ]
2009 : Nurture [ read my post for 2009 ]
Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.
Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year.
Whatever word you end up with, make sure it is your word (not your sister's, mom's, partner's, child's, etc). You can share it publicly or keep it close to your heart.
My word for 2010 is STORY.
I'm planning to do a post with more details on my thoughts about this word on Wednesday (look for the finishing pages of my December Daily tomorrow). I am hoping to use my word as a springboard for a variety of different projects and inspirations, in my life and my scrapbooking, over the next 365 days.
Have you chosen your word yet?
My word for 2010 is HEALTH. 2009 has been an awful year of sickness & health problems for myself and my family. The only lesson I can take from this is that I need to focus on taking better care of myself and make the well being of my family my first priority this year.
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My word last year was Silence. But I didn't do so good. It's hard for me to keep my mouth shut. This year I am trying the word Change. I have picked a friend who'll use it too as we help keep each-other attuned to our word. I'd like to change myself for the better, in many areas. Happy 2010 to all your friends and readers Ali and to you and your family.
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Unclutter.....my life, my home, my brain :)
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My word for 2010 is thankful. In spite of all the things I dislike about my life, I have a lot to be thankful for and this will remind me, no matter how bad I am feeling, I have great family and friends and I should be thankful for them.
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I hope you had a fantastic holiday, Ali!
My word for 2010 is CREATE. So much of my life is about planning, that this year I want to focus my energy on putting those plans into action and creating throughout my life. I plan to create a business. Scrapbook. Photograph. Get pregnant. I want to take the inspiration that fills my life and make something of it.
Wishing you and your family all the best in 2010! I can't wait to read all about your stories :)
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My 2009 word was FEED, and boy did I feed a multitude! For 2010 it's MOVE. I want to get out of the kitchen and into the big outdoors, and MOVE my body!
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This is my first year choosing a word and what a wonderful idea! My word for this year is COMMITMENT. I want to commit myself to doing more with and for my children, be a support for my husband, be there for my friends--someone they can trust. Commitment to my responsibilities as a wife, a mother, a friend, and to my own self and my goals.
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My word this year is acceptance!
The past three months have been the most difficult of my life. Major life changes when brought on by someone else are very hard to accept. This year will be my year to learn how to accept these changes and learn how to live my life and raise my daughter on my own. I have a long road ahead but with acceptance I hope for a positive future.
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My two best friends and I always share our word for the new year and touch on them throughout the year---thank you so much for this tradition, Ali!
My word for 2010 is ATTEND.
I'm excited about being extra aware of where I place my attention, of attending to the things I care most about and having an amazing year.
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Trying to choose between ENGAGE and PURPOSE,so I may have two words this year. Want to dream big and discover this year. Make some goals and achieve them. And determine the really important things and be present. Be more of a participant in life. Can hardly wait!
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2007 was Faithful
2008 was Trustworthy
2009 was Grateful
2010 is Determined
I've set projects and goals for myself this year and I want to explore my own determination, not subborness, in acheiving these goals. I will explore examples around me of people who have been "determined" in their lives and achieved the unexpected.
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BRING (IT)
BRING on a new year and all of the possibilities that it holds. I'm ready.
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What a fabulous idea Ali. Nurture was the perfect word for you to pick for 2009. Must have a think. The way things are shaping up I think 2010 will be a year when myself and my family will be tested. i think having a word to help keep things in focus will be very helpful. Jo x
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P L A Y ;)
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This is my fourth year of OLW too. I've had Happiness, Be and Appreciate, and all of them have really helped me throughout each year. Next year I am making an exciting trip to Australia for my brother's wedding and visiting Singapore and Hong Kong en route. So my word for 2010 is taken from this - EXPLORE. Not only exploring in a travel sense, although I intend to see more of my home land next year too, but to explore myself and the opportunities available to me.
Happy New Year to you and your family, Ali, and I look forward to another year of your STORY!
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My word is positivity. I find I am negative so much of the time, without even meaning to, so I think a little positivity in my life would be a good thing!
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My word for 2009 was contentment. Actually I used the Zulu word for it, Dela.
I have 2 words for 2010... I'm not sure how or if I'm going to combine them but they are HUMBLE, SERVICE and DISCIPLINE. Discipline sounds a little harsh but I'm working off weight so I can start trying for our second baby next year so discipline will be appropriate for what will happen to get that weight off.
Ali, thanks for reminding me that I need to post these words on our own blog.
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that was 3 words....
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My word is going to be TRUST. God has been so good to our family, and now as our boys are men moving on and out of our home I need to trust God for their spiritual and physical care as well as my husband and I's financial needs as we help finance their moves.
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JOY! Two of my three kids got "Joyfulness" awards at school last month and it got me thinking that I am lacking a lot of joy in my life. Not that it has to be given to me, but joy is something that I should choose and seek out in everyday life just like my kids do. I will be JOYFUL in all things!
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PERSEVERE. I think alot of us don't realize how sometimes we simply truck on through life. For the past 2 years I have been doing this and finally have to admit that I have persevered. I need to continue on. I am ready for 2010.
Thanks, Ali, for always having inspiring words and thoughts. Happy New Year!
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not sure what my word will be, but wanted to recommend a book that yours reminded me of. It's called "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life" and is basically the story of a guy who wrote a bestselling book about his life, that someone wanted to turn into a movie, and what he learned about the elements of what makes a great story, and how he applied them to his life, asking basically, "how can I write a great story with my life?" The author is Donald Miller, and the book is definitely worth checking out - one of my top reads of this past year.
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This will be the third year of choosing a word & I've passed your idea on to lots of friends as well. I love having a word that "centers" my life for the year. My word for 2010 is REAL. As in, I am going to be real & not do things that are not authentically me. Spent too much of my life being what other people wanted me to be & now its time to be the REAL me.
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Here's a link to the 2009 words: /2009/01/2009-words.html
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That book is one of my inspirations for my word :). I am going to write about it tomorrow. Great book.
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