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 is Opportunity... Ephesians 5:16... make the most of every opportunity (can also be translated 'time')...
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Hi Ali,
my word for 2011 found me just a couple weeks ago:
rhythm
I'm in the process of making a collage canvas of the word so I can hang it on the wall. I intend to move it around the house during the year so I dont stop seeing it. I think your One Little Word class is another creative stroke of genius! I'll enjoy being part of it.
Happy New Year
Sarah
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My word is TREASURE! 1trea·sure noun \ˈtre-zhər, ˈtrā-\
Definition of TREASURE
1a (1) : wealth (as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded (2) : wealth of any kind or in any form : riches b : a store of money in reserve
2: something of great worth or value; also : a person esteemed as rare or precious
3: a collection of precious things
To see the treasure in my life...and open up new treasure and find the precious gifts I have been given!!
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I was set for a few weeks with the word "courage." I have just started a photography business, and I need to have the courage to believe in myself for that, but I also feel I need courage to get through other things--like I have some sort of sixth sense about things to come this year. Then I saw "confidence" above, and I think that is the word I was originally looking for. But I am wondering if courage spoke to me for better reasons...I have signed up for the class, so maybe I will find the answer through that.
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Mmmm, can't decide whether to choose determination or change. I want both. There are many things that I want to change about my life - i know what they are and what needs doing but sometimes (most of the time) I lack the determination to follow through. Or maybe my word should be persevere? Gee I'm making things harder
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I too want to change things in my life, I know which things I want to change just can't decide on a word. Change sounds hard, scary and maybe a bit negative. I like accomplsih or achieve, revive or renew.
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my word for this year is going to be "open". I think this could be a year of real change for my family and for me personally as well, so I'm just trying to ride with it and see where it takes me/us...
Think I'm off to sign up for your Big Picture class as well!
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Think I mentioned on Twitter that I'd picked the same word as you, while musing throughout November.
For me, the irst inkling was just catching it a radio play of that Coldplay song 'Fix U' with the line 'Lights will guide you home and keep you safe from harm.' and I thought Yep, I'll have some of that please! Then a little later I heard my favourite carol 'O come all ye faithful', with the line 'light and life to all, he brings' (though I am not religious) and I thought that was something to aim for too.
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SIMPLE. I want a no fuss approach to 2011. No longer want to over complicate and overload my life. I want to live a simple & more fulfilling life.
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Amen. I'm so with you.
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My one little word for 2011 is STRONG. I was having a very hard time coming up with my word this year, and it was really worrying me because I love words, and I didn't want to have to "settle". One night, STRONG just popped into my head and I knew that was my OLW for 2011. I have a tendency to feel weak and less-than the majority of the time, so this word is perfect for me. I want to be strong in all areas of my life. I blogged more about it here: http://paulysrachie.typepad.com/complicated_simplicity/2010/12/one-little-word-2011-barrentree-reopening.html
Love reading everyone's words....such a powerful, humbling, convicting, and inspiring experience.
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Happiness - This year the word choose me and I want to find it again.
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My word for 2011 is "Listen." I had actually been considering this word for some time when I read Daphne's post (above), as well as her blog, and knew Listen was meant to be.
I chose listen because I need to learn to listen to myself better. I need to listen to my body, mind, and soul. Through listening I hope to learn more about all three aspects of myself so that I can strive towards living an authentic lifestyle.
This is the third year I have selected "one little word." Thank you for inspiring me Alli.
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I've gone back and forth between "simplify", "less", and "enough". I'm going with less...it feels right and seems to fit with what my thoughts are regarding the word. Looking forward to the class...and a year of incorporating "less" into it.
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STRIVE.
This is my word for the year. Like you, mine seemed to choose me. I have looked up the definition and really love it. I am interested to see how this word affects me this year!
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My word is DETERMINATION... I started my journey toward a healthier more active life in 2010 and 2011 is the year I plan to "kick it up a notch". I also started my own business in 2010 and left my full time job and this year is all about making it grow. 2010 was all about change for me, 2011 is about the determination it takes to set goals and achieve them.
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I am leaning towards FLOURISH. I think it's a pretty word and it's also active.
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FLOURISH is also my word! Had started at Joy then got tangled in a whole bunch of words...flourish encompasses them all! It's positive, happy, inspirational and nurturing.
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My word for 2011 is ME!! In 2010, I was broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I was raised to believe we put everything and everyone before myself. I realized unless I am healthy and happy, no one else in my life will be. So in 2011, I choose ME..
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started writing down all the things I want 2011 to be. As a single mom of two teenagers we are always rushing around; between sports practices, music lessons, rehearsals, church activities and Scouts, seems like there is never time to just chill out. I thought "peace" might be my word but truth is that sometimes the busyness is invigorating and exciting. So my word is BREATHE. A deep breath calms, relaxes. Gotta breathe deeply to smell the flowers or the fragrances. Have to stop and be intentional about breathing. We take breathing for granted but when we stop and really DO it... it is very restorative. So in 2011 my goal is to remember to BREATHE.
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Focus is my chosen word. When BPC announced your class I began thinking about my word and "focus" really encompassed what I want to do and accomplish this coming year: stay focused on family, friends, myself, my health, my home, classes I'm taking, completing projects, not taking on more than I can handle & finishing anything that I start until the end.
Thank you Ali for the inspiration!!
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My word for 2011 is FAITH. It chose me a few days ago as I was thinking about the next year and trying to pick a word. First, I feel like I'm being called to strengthen my FAITH - as in, finally find a church home here. We've lived in this city for 10 years but never found a church we were truly at home in. I need to have FAITH as my son is tested for autism - faith that everything will be ok and that God won't give me more than I can handle. FAITH that the world will go on post-2012 (which makes me more anxious than I care to admit!). FAITH that God is in charge of my life and through Him I can have peace in my mind and in my heart. It's a little bit of a scary word for me; when you let God take the reins you never know what will happen!! But I feel like this is what I need to do right now. For sure it will be an interesting journey!
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My word for 2011 is BELIEVE. Believe in myself and the choices that I have to make, believe I can achieve the goals I have set for myself and believe that my life with continue to be good and blessed.
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