One Little Word 2011
Tags:
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.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
1654 comments
intention
I have had the idea in my head, but couldn't find the right word to represent it. And just today, on 1.1.11 it came to me. Intention: what one plans to do or achieve.
perfect.
I have dreamed, I believe in my dreams,
in myself,
but now i wish to live with intention. to take that next step.
thank you for this idea
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Peace is my word.It has popped up several times here lately!!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Peace is my word for the New Year.It has appeard several times here lately so that will be my word
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word is Balance....
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] for 2011 I wanted to find my one little word. I had kinda forgotten about it until Ali posted about her word for 2011 the other day. So tonight I was chatting with a friend about the idea and my word finally hit me [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Faith. I didn't really have my heart set on this word, I was really trying hard to think of what I wanted for 2011 and nothing came to me. So I started picking words to see which might strike a chord and this was it. Not super attached at first but now I'm finding that the more I think on it, the more appropriate it is. I really want to bring my Faith to the forefront of my everyday life this year. I have so many projects in mind already!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Interesting - my word, too, seemed to choose me. And then as I read your following paragraphs, there it was again -
"You might even follow where it leads."
My word for 2011 is FOLLOW.
Thank you for this challenge!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Express is my word. Express encompasses so many of my intentions for this year. Express - meaning to release what no longer serves me... Express - meaning to be clear, concise and exact in what I want, what I say and in my actions... Express as it pertains to the speed of manifesting my dreams... Express myself emotionally, creatively, instead of stifling myself... Express as in being definitive, decisive and direct... and to remember that I have an Express, or special, purpose for being here...
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
COMMIT...I fall short of this in a lot of areas. I need to stop being a jack of all trades and become a Master at something - I'm hoping to discover that soon Ü
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
This year I want to make a very big dent in the stacks, boxes and piles of paper, photos, memorabilia, postcards, baby books, and saved memories that I have "hoarded" in this house of ours. Will graduates from High School in June, so I'd like to make him a book or two of his childhood experiences. I want my word to reflect the tasks I would like to accomplish, but I want the word to be more fun than the initial word that popped into my head... organize
I came across the word Travel...ahhh this sounds like I could be getting closer to the word that describes what I would like to do in 2011. Now this is not the traditional travel, like getting on a jet plane and circling the globe, oh no...this is the travel down memory lane, roaming through boxes of old photos, taking a trek through a "vintage" stack of photos with negatives, taking a journey back in time when my 18 year old William and 16 year old Jackson were just tiny little things with feet that smelled good! I think that is my word for 2011, TRAVEL!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] then along comes Ali with her twist on One Little Word this year. And, well, in for a penny, in for a pound, [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Participate.
I want to participate more fully with my family . . . when they talk, to look them in the eye . . . when they want to play a game, to stop and play along . . . to read together more, to be together more.
But I also want my family to participate more with me. I can't do it all as a working mom . . . I need help . . . so we will participate together in making our home liveable and lovable.
Participate . . . it works both ways.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
PATIENCE is my 2011 word.
If I can have more patience with myself and others I believe I will reach all my goals.
I am so excited about the workshop!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I'm having a hard time of letting go of last years word. . . Revive. I'm so grateful I choose wall art to display last years word so I can hold onto it longer.
This years word is Anyway. As in, let's do it anyway, despite anything that would destract. Boldly face whatever awaits with joy in the heart.
Replies
Kelli - you don't have to let go of last year's word :). I look at all my past words as part of my "life-words" list - they are always there if I need to focus on them again for any length of time. I love your 2011 word.
Sign in or sign up to reply.
As The class started today, I just changed my word going from love to:
Attitude!
I need a bit of a reminder that my attitude can change my whole day (life!).
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
my word for 2011 is cherish...
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
This is my first year choosing a word, and I'm leaning toward CHOOSE.
I get to choose how to react when the kids or family demands frustrate or overwhelm me.
I need to choose play over what I 'should' do so that I can make more happy memories with my family.
When my weight loss journey goes slowly I need to make the choice to keep trying.
I must choose to put my time and energy into the things that are truly important to me, rather than what is easy or convenient.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
patience...not sure why other than I'm lacking in this area
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I know what my WORD is this year!! I have decided today that my word will be FOCUS! I really need it, I need to procrastinate less, to work harder, to stay on task, to be focused. I want to focus on what is necessary, to cut out the time wasters and to focus on what is most important. How can I do this? By sticking to my daily tasks, to make sure I journal, read scriptures, to declutter and to make a to do list the night before! I hope that by being focused I will get more done, be happier about myself and feel a sense of accomplishment at what I finish. I want to not only focus on taking pictures but on telling the stories behind the pictures. I want to focus on moving more and eating less. I also want to focus on family relationships especially on doing better at keeping in touch. Lots to work on and focus on this year but if I can keep that word in the forefront of my mind I am hoping it will help me this year.
So FOCUS is my word for 2011!! Thank you Ali!! I always look forward to your ideas!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
No inspiring word jumped out at me. Only negative words like bitterness, jobless and unfairness kept popping in my head. And then I thought of a childhood experience that always made me happy. Sailing with my dad. My word is SAIL. I feel comforted already!
Replies
Kathy - this made me catch my breath. I think it's the perfect word for you.
Sign in or sign up to reply.