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
My word for this year is Believe! Believe in myself, in the future, that things will turn out as they should be. Believe I can make the time to create, believe that I can continue on my weight loss journey. Love picking my word every year!
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commitment
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I considered this word as well, before my word chose me.
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"heart" ...getting back to the heart of what matters in my life.
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My word for 2011 is "breathe" ... inspired by Leo's post at Zen Habits. http://zenhabits.net/breathe/
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The word that chose me this year is Strength
I have had many challenges in 2011 with the death of 3 family members. I look with hope (which I originally thought would be my word) to 2011.
1 the quality or state of being strong;
• physical power and energy
• the emotional or mental qualities necessary in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult
• the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure
• the influence or power possessed by a person, organization
• the degree of intensity of a feeling or belief
2 a good or beneficial quality or attribute of a person or thing :
I am looking forward to the class. Thanks Ali. I love this project.
sharon
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My word this year is JOY. So excited since I have had this word for awhile. I am hoping that it set me free of the expectations of others. Looking for what provides me JOY.
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proactive - proactive parenting, proactive business management, proactive health care, proactive attitude. PROACTIVE.
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Try - I want to try new things, try to read more, try to write more, try new scrapbook techniques, try to get out and see more. I might not succeed at all of the things I try (and that's okay too), I may not like all the new things I experience, but at least I'll have given them a try.
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My word is actually 3: RELAX, BREATHE, and LET GO. I need to remember to not be so stressed over the little things and just let them go. I also need to remember to breathe when life is getting in the way. I need to find my way back to a happier me and having these words present in my mind will hopefully do just that.
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Strength.
We ended 2010 with scary health issues, myself and my husband, I battled school districts monthly for our special needs kiddo all while trying to tend to our other 4 children.
I almost did not make it and I had to find strength to help me through. It wasn't easy. So this word is something I am reminded about everyday when I look at my family.
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My word this year is NURTURE. I have an 8 month old baby (my first) and I am trying to nurture him while also nurturing myself as a new mom with an artist, athlete, wife, woman, etc. still inside me!
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My word is NEST. This is my first time participating - this year, the word just found me and in other years, I was struggling to find the right one. After two years of unemployment, my husband has been back to work for 6 months (yeah!) and so my focus is on rebuilding our nest egg and nesting around the house - doing a lot of little things that I have wanted to do these past couple of years but could not. With little ones around, it is also about providing a loving and nurturing home (nest) and savoring the precious moments I have with them.
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Last year my word was "change." Every day our lives change, but we had some major huge events happen last year that really will change the course of our lives in the future.
This year I've chosen the word "journey." Our family will be making a move from the West Coast to the East. Not only will the trip be a journey, but the process of preparation as well as all the new things we encounter when we get there will all be a part of it. I think, too, that spiritually I will be on a different journey ... leaving the past behind and moving ahead to different and greater things.
I can't wait to see how this all transforms over the next 12 months!
Thank you for doing this class ... it has already been an inspiration for me :)
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West to east as in Northeast? Get ready to speed up everything about your life - or make the conscious decision not to be sucked in by the speed demons.
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I am going to purchase the class next week as this Monday will be my little girl's bday & all my extra pennies are for her :) Any hoot my word is chosen and it is "determination" That is the word that keep shouting in my head(this is the 1st year I will be doing this) there are lots of goals I have and I need to have determination in order to get it done. At this moment it has started w/me learning to run. Something I NEVER thought I would do. I am slowly doing it and have found it fun. Then it was adding working out every other day & of course correcting my eating. Also want to step out of my comfort zone when it comes to scrapbooking/stamping as well as getting my etsy store up. All need me to really stick to having that true determination. Can't wait to get started on my album and watch the progress!
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my word is simple, and all the forms of it simplify, simplicity etc... My life has become so cluttered and stressful I need to focus on this in my life this year, doctors orders! so I guess mine found me too.
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My word is ACTIVE. It has been a long pregnancy, an inactive one. This baby is due in Jan. and I am looking forward to becoming active again, now with two kids! My goal is to get healthy again, for myself and my family. I want to start living again, not just going day to day.
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My word for 2011 is "FOLLOW". There are many things I need to be submissive to in my life, mainly God's will for me. Like you, Ali, my word has picked me... As I thought about what my word would be, "follow" kept popping up. And look - even in your post: "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." Thanks for sharing this great projet for yet another year. :-)
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My word is also LESS. Right now I am unemployed and am having to focus on less in lots of aspects of my life. But I want to bring it to all aspects in 2011. I am excited about it!
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Simplicity
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This is my first year doing the one little word concept, although I've followed it for several years. I'm also doing the one little word class on bps. I chose the word change for 2011. Change- change my study habits, change my weight, change my eating/fitness habits. I would also at some point in my life, change the world in some little way, I know it's a big goal, but i have a while to work on it, and this year is just the start.
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