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
What a great idea. I have just been having fun reading through your "one word" posts from the last few years. I love this concept and I think it is just the thing I need to kick start my year and change my focus. I'll have to be thinking about a word that "speaks" to me. Maybe my goal for Jan can be to find my word and apply it before the month is through. Thanks for the great inspiration!
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focus
I have ADD, not diagnosed until my early 30s, and here in my late 30s I am still struggling with being able to focus long enough on one thing to be successful. I've given each month this year one thing to focus on. January is marketing my administrative consulting business. It's only day 4 and I'm off-topic a lot! yikes! Maybe, as the year progresses, I'll get better and better at being able to focus. :)
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ENJOY! That is my one little word this year. I made some goals and they all revolve around enjoying life every day so what better word for me!!
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PAUSE...that is my word. Too often I just get through, I don't stop and PAUSE long enough to arrive.
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my word is Feel . .
I'm truly experiencing it for the first time
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[...] came across a cool site that talked about choosing one word for the year (http://aliedwards.com/2010/12/one-little-word-2011.html?replytocom=264084#respond). It didn’t take me long to think of my word: FUN, for obvious [...]
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My word for 2011 is COURAGE. I am seeking the courage to go to places in my heart that I have not faced before. Also seeking the courage to disappoint others and their expectations of me so as to NOT betray my own heart. Not as easy as it sounds. Courage is my word and I've already made a small plague with the word that sits over my fireplace as a reminder. Thinking seriously about taking this class though.
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I may be a little late to this project, but feel grateful to have found it. My word for this year is STEADFAST. I want to be unwavering in my confidence and artistic convictions in the face of rejections and acceptances. i want to be steadfast.
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[...] started this before signing up for Ali Edwards’ One Little Word Class so there will be lots of exploration around my word (Allow) and intentions this year, but [...]
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My single word for 2011 is .... H A P P Y! Last year was a difficult year, one that I don't want to repeat. I've chosen HAPPY to remind myself everyday to be HAPPY, don't take life so seriously. And, when something just isn't going right-remember HAPPY to keep me strong and balanced! And, HAPPY because life could be a whole lot worse!
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I love this! It is so hard to pick just one word. I chose "HONOR".
It's a noun and a verb. It means a lot to me. It's a word to live by and live with. Something to strive for. To teach my children. Something to give away. And something to carry myself with.
I think I have to add a secondary word, and that is "JOY"!
It's something I need to remember that I want more of in my home.
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COURAGE is my word..this word keeps showing up in my world. I am learning to face many of my fears so for this year, COURAGE will be "my" word that I will be focusing on. I am sooooo looking forward to the One Little Word class!!
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[...] Ali Edwards (a blog on scrapbooking, but so relevant for our OLW) Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0) Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!) [...]
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My first OLW exposure. I read this post and the word FOCUS jumped into my ever so scattered brain. And so I shall hear your words and make focus mine OWL this year for 2011...
~shelly
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Hi Ali,
I was just blog-hopping and I'm not sure how I ended up here, but i love this idea. I had already been thinking about this, and my word for this coming year is HEAL. The past couple of years have been rough, and as things start to turn around, I'm thinking I need to spend time recovering from survival mode. Next year, I'm already thinking about more "doing" type of words, but I'm definitely feeling the need for a time of stillness and contemplation. I'm a little late, but I'll also be checking out your workshop, too!
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Celebrate. I think it is so important to celebrate ever last thing in your life. So often we take for granted the little things in our life and we get bogged down. If we celebrate the little things, then when things frustrate or get us down, we may not be down for long!
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I loved this idea, but never thought I could settle on one word. But it settled on me. Strength. I am looking forward to 2011 with Strength in my hip pocket!
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My word is HEALTHIER
I want to bring this into all areas of my life. PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL, HOME, AND SPIRIT.
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Love this and love one little word for 2011! I actually have two little words for the year. They're CREATIVE + NURTURE! I just wrote about the reason behind them on my blog yesterday: http://reneeyemma.com/2011/01/2011-word/
But these two words really represent everything I want to feel this year...I want to feel what it's like to BE in touch with my creative soul again and I want to FEEL myself nurture every area of my life.
Really, it could just be one word: nurture, because I am going to nurture my inner creative spark this year! But, I'm excited to focus on both of these words.
loveloveLOVE it! :)
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[...] my life using the One Little Word concept shared by Ali Edwards…you can read more about my chosen word, EMBRACE, [...]
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