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
[...] Edwards has been writing about the power of One Little Word since 2007. She has a One Little Word online workshop where you can learn more about the power of [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I love this idea - I think my word will be "Lioness". Just recently read a book by Lisa Bevere which is very interesting and this is the message - to be a lioness...one who hunts, nurtures, supports, is magnificent, doesn't need lots of things or overcomplicates life and many other attributes. Well worth a read!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] been thinking a lot about my one little word, nurture. thinking about the people i nurture, the need to nurture myself, ways of nurturing. [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Don't know if it's too late to join, but I like the work "enjoy"....the process of creativity; my family; my challenges; nature. What an interesting concept..and so simple!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] the person I am meant to be. - *Update – Interesting that “BE!” is my One Little Word for 2011– I will be doing a post on that really soon.- the walks I take with my [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] night I spent some time thinking of my One Little Word for 2011 and came up with “BE!” Last year I spent waaaaayyyyy too much time really not [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] in January, a lot of us chose a word, our “One Little Word”, to represent a quality that we want to strive for during 2011. I chose the word [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] my life using the One Little Word concept shared by Ali Edwards…Truth be told, this past week I’ve been embracing love [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] the beginning of the year to focus on, mediate and reflect upon in daily life. You can read more on Ali’s blog and it has since become a class at BPC as [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] the person I am meant to be. - *Update – Interesting that “BE!” is my One Little Word for 2011– I will be doing a post on that really soon.- the walks I take with my [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] way, which is also another way of saying “YES!” to living, which also has to do with my One Little Word of the year, BE!. (okay, stomach dropping, feeling a bit scared [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] night I spent some time thinking of my One Little Word for 2011 and came up with “BE!” Last year I spent waaaaayyyyy too much time really not [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I know that it is May already, but I just stumbled across your blog for the first time. Instead of making resolutions this year, I picked a word for myself, so you can imagine my delight when I found that there are so many others who do the same! My word for 2011 is FEARLESS. Too many times I miss out on great things because I am scared...to try something new, to let someone in, to speak up for myself. So this year I am focused on not letting fear be the motivating force in my life!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
So I have arrived very late at this party!! I will be signing up for the project this week.....I can't believe I am just noticing about this project....as I have picked a word for the year the last couple of years! Last years word was create, and man it evolved in so many ways throughout the year. Some I never expected! The word I have chosen for 2011 is BREATHE....And in these first 6 mths, it too has come to mean so much more than I originally thought when I picked it!
Thanks so much...I've got some catching up to do!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] my word for 2011 is grace. in 2009 i chose that as my word, unfortunately i didn’t follow through. this year i’ll be taking the class along with a handful of friends. i am excited! and i’m ready for a happy year. one full of laughter and friendships and loving myself for who i am. [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] My {One Little Word} that I chose for 2011 was CONNECT, and I choose to intentionally connect with people, I have been immensely blessed! especially with some INCREDIBLE new friends! One of the things lead me to this word was John Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect. Intrigued? Watch this! [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] one little word for 2011 was risk. I’ve really enjoyed having a one little word focal point for the year [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] card alone makes me want to choose ‘Simplicity’ as my One Little Word for 2012. This is my favourite design for some time, for my friend’s milestone. I really do [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
one word...I have just tried to do this challenge on my blog! I couldnt come up with one word so I decided "OneFamilyTravelToDream" is our word for 2011!
Cheers
Lisa
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[...] last three years, a few of my close friends and I have followed along with Ali Edwards and pledged one little word. Instead of new year’s resolutions, we pledge a word to live by, to inspire us for the year. [...]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.