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
INTENTIONAL
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My word for 2011 is accept. I will accept people as they are and the challenges that come up for what they are and maybe what they mean to be.
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My word this year will be "forgive". It has always been a difficult task for me to do & this will be the year that I let it all go.
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My word is FOCUS for 2011. I'm back in school full time, running my own business, a mother, wife, friend. FOCUS is what I need for my life to run smoothly. Focus on school, my kids, my dh
:)
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[...] getting feedback from everyone participating in 2010 she created this great word list. This year Ali’s word is “light”, which is very similar to what I decided to [...]
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My word is strength. I don't normally have new year's resolutions because I set goals for myself all year long. But I've been following your blog for a long time now and have decided to join in this year. I'm always setting a goal to lose weight but something always comes up that prevents me from exercising. Then I get discouraged and don't eat right. This year I have decided instead of trying to lose a certain amount of pounds I want to be stronger. And of course with the word strength I would like to become stronger not just physically but spiritually and financially. Loving this word!
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I'm still struggling with two words.
Discipline and Spontaneity.
Discipline seems to strike a deeper chord in me but Spontaneity would be so much more fun!
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i love all of these words, and am trying to come up with one myself. i do have a new motto for the new year: expect miracles. any idea how to simplify the idea into 1 word?
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How about just "expect"? Expect itself is a cool word...
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2010 was a rough year for me, physically and mentally, mostly mentally. Fear and anxiety and my complete lack of control (yeah, I am a bit of a control freak) have left me feeling like I am nothing more than a shell, with the living thing inside missing. I have been clinging to a quote by a Diane Ackerman for several weeks now "I don't want to get to the end of my life and find I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well." "Width" didn't seem to be quite the word I was looking for, and while reading the other comments above, "NOW" jumped out at me. As in, I want to live life NOW, do it NOW, be present NOW, take care of me NOW, love them NOW. So "now" it is...thanks Ali!
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Present...that's my word....I feel checked out most of the time...likely a defense mechanism. However, protecting myself is keeping me from experiencing the present moment...good or bad - I want the experience. I want to be present!
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This past year my word was "connect" for many of the same reasons you described. It was a wonderful reminder for me NOT to "check out" when I would feel the urge. Good luck to you in your quest too! :)
Thanks Lori - fun to hear someone focusing on connecting/being present...it's not easy - but is important!
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Last year my word was "Connect" and it was the right word for me then.
This year my word is going to be "Health". I need to recommit to my emotional health (lowering my anxiety), physical health, spiritual health and the health of my family. I can't think of anything more important for me to focus on in 2011!
Thank you for the inspiration, Ali!
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just an update......yesterday i thought my word would be improve or daily........well i had this feeling they weren't quite right.....i want to work on something daily that improves my life and those of people around me.....so i did some more research and the word that just feels right is CREATE. as i told my husband just yesterday, if i don't do something creative i feel hollow, so i know i've found the right word for me. Create= cause,make,form,fashion,produce, devise,design,invent,construct,imagine,visualize,bring to pass ...... all of these work with what i want and need at this time in my life.
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The word that has chosen me for 2011 is "Simplify". I have so many things in my life that tug at my heart on a daily basis and feel that I am never able to get them all done as well as the many things that I want to do. My life is telling me that I not only need to simplify my commitments and my way of living but also the things that are in my life.
I am simplifying our house of things that aren't needed to sustain our life. We have lived in our current house for almost six months and still have a garage full of boxes. Apparently they haven't been needed and therefore need to be removed to rid my mind of the clutter that they create.
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My word is Wellness. It's high time I focus on my mind, body and spirit and take care of myself better than I have in quite some time.
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My word for 2011 is BEGIN. Can't wait for all of the new beginnings to come!
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LIVE. This year I went through the motions. Instead of thriving, I merely survived. I did not live at all and that is just not like me so I have some regrets about that. I wondered for the last few days in my very rare and momentary moments of peaceful thought, if I would even be able to think of a word. But then I began to read your post and I knew almost instantaneously as my eyes were flooded with tears. I will not blaze through 2011 without living everyday, and I will be grateful for that life and enjoy even the mundane. The quote "LIVE life with no regrets" will be my motto this year. Thank you, as always for your constant inspiration. xoxo
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savor...life and all that is in it.
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My word kept coming to me and I kept pushing it away because it was so strong, maybe too strong, and it sounded too contrived. So I kept searching for another word.
But tonight I gave into it.
My word is
Love
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My OLW is HAPPY. I have so much and I am so blessed - yet I find myself unhappy to often. Unhappy with my body, my relationship , my work- NO MORE. I am done being unhappy.
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[...] is my “one little word” for 2011. I need to be more thankful. I need an attitude [...]
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