One Little Word 2011
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My 2011 necklace from the lovely Lisa Leonard. Get one for yourself here.
My word for 2011 is light.
This year my word sure seemed to choose me.
Most years I start thinking about my word for the following year in November or December. I think about it in passing and start listening, looking, and being open to the possibilities of a new word.
This year the word light seemed to be trying to catch my attention.
I found it in books, in magazines, in music, in conversations and in quiet moments.
So I'm going with it. It's already surprised, delighted, challenged and sparked some new things within me.
Some years I've had to look harder or listen longer or simply choose one that fit with what was on my mind and heart at that moment. There's no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It's not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.
And what do you do with this one little word?
You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.
I'd love to read what word you've chosen or are considering for 2011. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word.
In a couple of days I'll post a compilation of the words as an inspirational reminder to us all.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.
NEW FOR 2011 : ONE LITTLE WORD at BIG PICTURE CLASSES
I'm excited to be offering a brand new One Little Word online workshop through Big Picture Classes in 2011 as a way to connect with and honor our words throughout the year.
Each month you'll receive a prompt with a simple creative project and a gentle reminder to check back in with your word. By the end of the year you'll have compiled the contents of an 8.5x11 album that documents, defines, celebrates and generally makes your word more visible. Workshop materials include printable elements, full-color PDF handouts, and video presentations.
People have been asking me if you have to be a scrapbooker for this class. My answer is no. Even though we are making an album it's really more of a journaling/record keeping/thinking/exploring project. I'm excited to see how people interpret the prompts and make them meaningful for their own lives.
This is not complicated and it's not time-consuming. It's simply a way we can come together to share our experience with our words throughout the course of the year.
The One Little Word classroom opens on January 1, 2011.
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1654 comments
My word for this year is "peace" 2010 has been hard and I'm hoping to find some sort of peace in the coming year. Peace for my children, my home, and my everyday life.
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Hi Ali,
My word for this year is thankful. I need to always be thankful for special people in my life and everything that God gives me everyday. Excited for the new year to begin. See you in class.
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~ trust~
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I keep coming back to the word lighten - as in lighten my load, my home, my attitude etc. Think I'm going to go w/ it.
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I have never chosen a word before, and after thinking about it for some time, I have decided on the word "strengthen." I need to do this in several areas of my life.
I am also taking your class and am excited about it!
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My 2011 word is "RENEW"!
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Hi, I signed up for your class wondering what word I would pick. As soon as I finished the thought the word BALANCE appeared in my mind's eye. Specifically internal balance. I am so looking forward to where my soul wishes me to go with this. It's always a wonderful ride when I am mindful of my voice. Thank you Ali for this opportunity to explore.
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My word for this year is THRIVE.
I'm going to be spending this coming year alone, thanks to the Army. I need to make it through, but I don't want to simply survive - I want to reach the finish line with some energy to spare.
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My word for 2011 is REALIZE, as in fulfill, achieve, accomplish, make a reality, make happen, bring to fruition, etc. I don't have trouble dreaming or making plans, I just have trouble seeing them realized.
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Ali, I too have signed up for your class and am wondering if you have a badge available for the class to put on my blog?
I do - it's now available in the Message From Ali section on the class message boards.
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2011 will be a year of courage for me, a year of not being afraid to step outside of my personal comfort zone & take chances in life.
Happy New Year!!!
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my one word for 2011 is {CREATE}, 2009 & 2010 have involved us selling our home, moving into a new one this year, at the same time trying to keep working from home so to cut the story short I just havent had a moment into which to be creative!
2 months ago I resigned from my job as it was becoming bigger than ben hur. For my own sanity, general wellbeing I need to be more creative, so 2011 is going to be the year for more painting, scrapbooking and anything else I can squeeze in :)
I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments and what their one little word will be. So to all of you a big hug for 2011!!
xxMiriam
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My word is Home. . . just blogged about it today. It means so much for us this year. Some potential changes this year may mean moving or us not being home together as much this year. I want to finally settle into our home. I want to be a better homemaker and build my fledgling home-based business. And so much more. I've already gotten a necklace with my One Little Word on it and its helped me think about moving on in 2011 in some tough moments this month.
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Prayer
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Last year I picked renaissance because I wanted to try new things and get more involved in my art, in hopes to "recreate" myself. Well, of course, time went on and I forgot all about my word, but still I did a few things to accomplish this goal. As the year was drawing to an end, I realized I needed a new word and heard about your class. I was so excited about this because I wanted to pick a great word and then have more follow through with it. So I've signed up, gifted the class to my mom and a friend, and we have another mutual friend also taking the class. We can't wait to begin. My word is Flourish!!! I've already thought about how many ways this word could possibly help me in the coming year! Thanks Ali!!! Looking forward to the journey.
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My word for 2011 is FOCUS.
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My word this year is BALANCE. I had no idea why it kept popping into my head at first, but everytime I asked myself what should my word be there it was. Once I started thinking it made sense..
I have just started working part time after the arrival of my second son in June and the balance of it is a new skill for me. I want balanced eating, work/life balance, balance in giving to others and giving to myself... and balance as I try to walk the tight-rope that has become my life!
I will be signing up for One Little Word, in the hope it will help me keep the balance of creativity and work in 2011 :)
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My word is AUTHENTIC and it definately chose me.
I have never participated in One Word before and wasn't really planning to. But as I was typing a message on the TwoPeas forum about scrapbooking goals for 2011, the word kept coming to mind, first in relation to journaling and memorykeeping but then in many other aspects of life.
So AUTHENTIC it is.
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my 2011 word CONTENT: content with what I have, when I have it and enjoying both of those things. I found this quote on Ali's blog a couple years back and its has helped shape ME over the last couple years:
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
-William Henry Channing-
LOVE IT!
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That is one of my all-time favorite quotes.
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this is a year of new for me..my daughter gradutates high school and starts college, I will be entering my first 5k and focusing on my healthy/fitness/and soul..
my one little word for 2011 is COURAGE
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Trust. This is my first year of OLW and I was really struggling to find just one word to focus on. I home ed my two children and my son is severly disabled, life is hard, stressfull, hectic, frustrating and I was trying to find a word to 'fix' all my worries. Finances are very difficult too then out of the blue an old friend I've not seen in years turned up at my door this evening with an envelope full of money she had raised to help get my son some treatment he needs. She said to me "trust that everything will be alright." So trust it is. I trust in myself to make the right descisions, I trust my children in the way they choose to learn, I trust that no matter how bad things can get there will always be a silver lining. Can't wait to start and thank you Ali.
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What a wonderful blessing. The kindness of others...wow :).
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