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
Mine is Commitment. Sticking by what I say I'm going to do - more to prioritize myself in my life and finally doing what I planned on doing (like spend more time creating).
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My word for 2011 is HAPPY. I want to be happy with myself, my surroundings, my photography etc. I am going to strive to not let the little aggravations of life bring me down. Hopefully, a happy attitude will rub off on those around me, too.
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My word for 2011 is mindful. There are a few reasons why I chose it, and I wrote about it in a post this morning. You are welcome to read more about it here: http://greenbirdofhappiness.blogspot.com/2011/01/hello-2011-and-my-word-for-year.html
Thank you for sharing the idea of one little word, each year. It's something I've really enjoyed reading about and I'm excited to officially kick the year off with a word of my own this year!
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I can't seem to choose just one word. Maybe it's because I'm in my 50s now, but I feel like there are multiple things I need to work on in order to be the person I want to be.
So my list includes confidence, vitality, decisiveness, and (probably the most important on the list) follow through!
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My word is simple ~ as in simplify your life. The original plan was simple – the plan begins at birth – we breath in and out. No one tells us to breath, we do not have to purchase something, we do not have to collect anything, and we simply breathe. 2011 my word is simple ~
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My OLW for 2011 is going to be BALANCE. I seem to be all one way or the other in almost every aspect of my life and I hope to find the balance I need to bring peace.
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The word I choose is APPRECIATE. I want to appreciate my family more, because I am so blessed to have a wonderful one. Appreciate and the wonderful things around me and just appreciate life in general. Because each and everyday there is something I should appreciate and just did not think of it. This year appreciate will be posted somewhere so I never forget to do it!
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Appreciate is such a lovely word. Something that we could all do well to remember - good luck!
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My word for 2011 is BRAVE
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I had BREAKAWAY in my head for the last month or so as suggested by my husband (I need to recognise the need to breakaway from the stress of life sometimes) until I saw RELEASE here on the list. Suddenly, it's clear to me that RELEASE is perfect on so many levels (and also encompasses some of the original breakaway idea). This will be the 5th year I've done OLW - some years more successfully than others - and I am looking forward to the development of my new word.
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my one little word for 2011 is achieve
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My word is "care." After a long series of stressful and heartbreaking events, I pulled into myself and stopped caring about the world around me. At first I thought my word would be "give," but I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I think I need to be brave enough to let myself care first.
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de-stress.
http://thisbusygirl.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-new-year.html
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i chose reduce.
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Balance, and boy do I need it!
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[...] year, I decided to choose a word via Ali’s One Little Word, but I couldn’t narrow it down to a word, so I chose the phrase, “follow [...]
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Hi Ali!
I´m doing this for the third year and I´m amazed how well it seems to fit every time.
This year I´ve been choosing between two words - fresh or balance - but I finally deciced to stick with fresh. I like the sound and feeling of it.
I really need a fresh start this year. Last year was such a rollercoaster in some ways so I´m happy to leave it behind me.
So yes fresh for me meaning new beginnings, healthier living and fresh looks .....
Happy 2011 Ali!
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[...] been mulling it over, and I think that if I had to pick one little word for 2011, it would be “begin.” Put one foot in front of the other. Just do it. And all that [...]
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my word for 2011 is "sacrament"-taking the common and making it into the extraordinary as an act of worship. My life is so full of regular days, regular tasks-and to think of them as extraordinary will surely change my perspective! I cannot take full credit for it-it came to me through the radio station K-Love.
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[...] you aren’t familiar with the one little word concept, go here to see what Ali Edwards has to say about [...]
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I think my word for this year will have to be NOW!
As in, living in the moment, not trying to anticipate the future all the time. As I am a planner and worrier by nature, this should be a good word to help me focus on each day as it comes.
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