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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What a neat post this is. Since I've read this, I find myself doing a lot of thinking about what word I would choose for 2011. My husband and I are at a stage in our lives where we need to either "change" or "create". Both of these words fit. I want to choose a word that will really motivate me. Hmmmmmm!
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I have chosen the word EXPLORE for this year. Life seems to just be opening up for me, and explore was such a perfect fit to help me make the most of upcoming experiences as well as to encourage the creation of other experiences. I have decided to join the online class, and am so excited to do so! I am looking forward to the opportunity to do a little exploring!
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My word is purpose . More on why I chose this word here: http://lauralynne.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/one-little-word/
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Grow is my word this year!
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My word has been tapping me on the shoulder all year long. It's time to give in and listen to it: FOCUS is my word for 2011.
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My word is "STRONG". First and foremost I want to be strong in the Lord. Then the word has other dimensions for me too, such as getting fit and healthy and being STRÖNG, with more energy. I also choose a verse to match my word. This is my 4th year doing this. I love how it gives focus for the year. Thanks for sparking the idea Ali! You inspire.
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BEGIN
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[...] i found this challenge a few years ago, when i was an avid scrapbooker and Ali Edwards challenged us all to choose One Little Word [...]
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connect
I've found my word, or maybe it has found me. It's only the 2nd day of the new year and connect is going to get me where I want & need to go. WOW!!
Thanks so much for the inspiration!!
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PATIENCE...my word seemed to pick me as well. going to try really had to hold my composure when my 5 y.o. starts yelling at the 11 y.o.. it's going to take a lot of PATIENCE on my part.
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REBUILD is my word for 2011.
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PURPOSE... That is my word for 2011. It will require personal reflection, focus and simplifying. It will be about analyzing my life and determining how the pieces fit together. It will be making sure that this year's journey will have purpose.
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Not sure if you're still reading these comments, but I had to share this funny story with you. Thought you'd get a kick out of it. :-p
So I'm talking to my husband on the phone, and it goes like this...
Me: I am doing absolutely nothing right now. Maybe my One Little Word for 2011 should be "Purpose"!
Jeremy: HERPES??!?!??! Why??!?!?!
Apparently, when he's wearing his Bluetooth, the word "Purpose" sounds like "Herpes." I'm laughing so hard I'm crying. Truly.
For the record, my One Little Word will NOT be "Herpes." LOL. :-p
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Totally laughed out loud :).
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I've chosen the word Faith as my OLW. I've been going back and forth between Faith and Believe but Faith has really been standing out to me.
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I haven't participated in the last year, but I think I should do it this year and even do it big! My word for this year is "COMFORTABLE".
My therapist has been using this word almost every visit. I need to do everything comfortably & easily. I need to find comfort in myself, and my body. I have had a body image issue since loosing 130 pounds. I have found that being skinny for the first time in my life has left me feeling exposed. I hope to find some place that is comfortable for me to exist in this new year, both physically and emotionally. I have to be comfortable in my thoughts, my being and in everything that I do. I want every task I take on to be a lesson in comfort and ease. I sincerely wish everyone the best with their choice this year and to you too Ali.
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IRON. My word for 2011 is 'iron'. The word chose me -- at Christmas this year my husband and I coincidentally gave to and received several cast-iron gifts from each other. The past year was one of our most challenging in our 13 (9 married) years together, but we endured. I feel like the power above greater than us were sending subtle reminders that our relationship is as strong as iron, and that together we can handle anything.
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This is my favorite kind of word - awesome.
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HEALTHY. 2010 was a very rough year, and my health has been an issue for many years prior to that. This is the year to kick it into GOOD, once and for all. I'm also going to use the period (.) at the end of the word as a reminder that it's a definitive change for the better. HEALTHY, period.
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Control is my word. It seems that for the last couple of years or so all I've been doing is existing. Well not this year. I need to take the control back and be in charge of my own path. I need to be the strong independent woman I once was. I don't know where I took a wrong turn and just started existing . . . but no more! That is not the example I want to set for my 9 year old daughter and it is not how I want to live my life. I will take control back and get out of this rut I've been in for far too long!
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[...] goals and resolutions, I didn’t yet have a word. This year, Sage Cohen’s word is GRACE. Ali Edwards‘ is LIGHT. I was at a loss. Doing the Pooh Bear, “thinkthinkthink.” And then, it [...]
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