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 2011 is movement.
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I chose the same word!! Good luck in 2011!
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As I stand up I declare 2011 the year of taking RISKS, artistically, professionally, and personally. The dictionary defines risk as, "take or run a risk, to expose oneself to the chance of injury or loss; put oneself in danger; hazard; venture".
When I say risks I mean intentionally putting myself into situations that make me feel uncomfortable all in an attempt to assist my growth both in breadth and scope. I want to attempt things that will take me out of my ordinary and fling me into the extraordinary. I want to do things that'll push me out of my proverbial box. Yup folks. This is gonna be interesting.
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Somehow, your post sounds so exciting to me. I keep smiling as I think about your words.
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Hi everyone!
I really love this concept of a word that defines, guides and moulds my life. I think we are definitely in control of our lvies overall, we just need to remember to steer it, not just sit in the drivers seat.
I have 2 words this year (which will be my first OLW)...the first is PEACE. I need to find some. Inside me, OUTSIDE ME, in my mind, my home, my constant struggle wtih my creativity--i tend to copy other's ideas instead of going with mine and I end up arguing wtih myself, I want to carry less guilt, less worry for everyone and everything around me (the kind of worry I can't do anything about), everywhere in my life needs more peace (not quiet, PEACE).
the other word was going to be Balance, i feel l need more of that, but I think Peace incorporates the elements of Balance that I 'require' more of, so my 2nd word will be Focus.
I want to Focus more on my life. On my children and the magic that they bring, on the positive in my world (not the negative which can REALLY take up a lot of headspace), my fortune--I have friends, family, a WONDERFUL husband and children, my dream job, possibilities, hopes everything. i want to FOCUS on the good and I want to Delight in it.
I CANNOT WAIT to see what you do with 'light'. I Love love love that word.
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Hi Ali, my OLW for 2011 is commit. This word actually chose me. THe minute I saw your class posted I knew I wanted to take it and the word just came to me and it's been lingering there so that's the one.
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My word for this coming year is HEALTHY. I have tried to find a 'fancier" word...but this one just keeps coming back to me. I had a rough start to 2010 health wise and this new year I want to fix that. I want to be HEALTHY physically,mentally,spiritually, AND financially. I have never had a word be so persitent in the few years I have been doing this...so there it is!
Denise is Maine
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I really like looking at HEALTHY from this perspective.
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HEALTH
I've been thinking about a word for a few weeks now and couldn't come up with one that I really thought I needed---and today it just popped into my head as I was reading your post. I have a few issues going on so 2011 is gonna be the year for good HEALTH!
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IGNITE
This word just kept popping into my head...so I'm going with it!! Looking forward to the One Little Word Class. Happy New Year
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I think my word will be rhythm - meaning patterns and recognising the changing flow of each month and of the year; of creating and establishing a rhythm for the various aspects of my life. I like the metaphor aspect and movement.
The alternative is 'establish' - more straiht forward but it also has lots of meaning for 2011
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My word is nourish. I'd been reflecting on who I wanted to become inthe coming year(s), and this is the word. I've chosen words in past years, but never has a word hit me so strongly.
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My word is HAPPINESS. I plan to spend 2011 connecting to the good things and happiness that are already in my life. I am currently reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and hope to connect my word and the concepts in the book.
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Sara,
I LOVE The Happiness Project - great book. I considered HAPPY as my word but have decided on FOCUS. I will be rereading the book though to get me on my "FOCUS-track".
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My word for the year is 'develop'....there's so many ways I want to develop myself....but also practical projects I want to develop as well.
Thanks for the inspiration...have also joined the class...am really looking forward to it.
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Peace. With myself. With my family. With my job.
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My word for this year is INTENTIONAL. In my relationships (marriage, my children, friends, family); with our finances; in caring for our home; in my relationship with the Lord. I am considering your class as I'd like my word to become a bigger part of my life than it has in the past.
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Great word!
cheri....may i encourage you to take the class!!! it will be great.
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My word for 2011 will be: "LIVE" as I found myself spending to much time and living in my comfort zone and sometimes have the feeling as is life is zooming by while I am sleeping....and therefore not being aware of what is going on in real life.
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My word is "Should" - it chose me when I read a post on the daily digi - I need to decide to do something or not do something, but not look back with guilt or regrets. I should be the one making the choice and I should not let others make the choice for me or make me feel guilty that I didn't chose what they wanted.
http://thedailydigi.com/stop-shoulding-on-your-scrapbooking-giveaway/
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My word came easy this year as well. Cherish. My kids are entering new stages and growing so fast. I feel like a need to reflect and spend time with the idea that I need to do more than just get through the day with my kids, I need to enjoy the stages that they are in. I also need to remember to keep my marriage balanced so that we are more than just the kids parents.
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Finish - just seems right time to finish all sorts of things from loosing weight to last April's week in life project etc etc etc
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Judi - I have been reading through all of the comments. Trying to thing of 2011 - the things I want to do - they way I want the year to go - and your word is the first that said "YES" to me. I, too, have so many things I want to finish. I have a great start to the life I want, but I don't feel that I have finished anything. So I am with you this year with the word FINISH!
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my word is willingness to not be so broken all the time and to be open to possibilities
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This year my word is discipline. I am so excited!
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The same word has been surrounding me. DISCIPLINE is something I once had and lack so much of right now. Discipline to stay on task, work towards my goals, stick to a workout routine, discipline in doing the things that need to be done before the things I want to do.
This will be my first time doing this challenge and I think it is a great idea!
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My one little word this year is Revolution. This is absolutely my favorite time of the whole year thinking, feeling and listening for my one little word.
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I'm really curious to see where your word takes you. Revolution is a very strong and sometimes negative word. I'm not sure I could take it on.
This is year 5 of olw for me - the power of a word to change your person in one year is so great and positive I have no doubt revolution will be the same. Thanks for your interest I'll keep you posted!
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