One Little Word 2011
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.
My word is CALM.
I teach junior high students with special needs and I also run crazy on a regular basis in my personal life. So this year will be a year of saying no to things that do not bring calm and a year of focusing on writing, telling stories, scrapbooking and manifesting CALM.
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My word: Change
It seem to find me, in my thoughts, tv, reading.
It has been on my mind alot here lately. I am not happy with the way I think about certain things in my life right now, there are things I want to change about myself. I would like to learn new things and teach myself to do more & better for myself. I want to take time for myself and change for the better & when I do, I feel that it will make others in my life better too. (if I have a positive attitude & are happy then that will lead my family, afterall moms are the leaders of the house, right!)
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Ny word too is change. I took a break while reading all the comments and told my boyfriend about OLW and the first word he thought of was change as well so this is our word for 2011. Hopefully we Can both change jobs, move to another city, eat healthier, move more etc - lots of changes!
This is my first year choosing a word and I'm excited aboit what it will mean.
Christina (in Denmark)
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The word that found me is COMFORT. I realized that most of what I do is because I am seeking comfort and that when I am feeling depressed and down it is comfort that I crave to pull me up and back into life. I am so looking forward to exploring what this word means for me in OLW and finding ways that I can become more comfortable in this skin and my environment so that I can more fully enjoy and experience life!
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This year I'm choosing a phrase rather than a word. It's "take flight". This has come at me from so many directions. I am stepping out to work for myself this year and it's a scary thing but in my heart I just know it's time for me to fly!
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Looking forward to exploring my word PERSEVERE. My word last year was STORY, and it helped me follow my dreams of writing a book. Now I want to keep building on my dream, even when things are scary or difficult, and see where it takes me.
Ali, and all readers who post, you constantly inspire me. Thank you!
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Simplify. I picked this word back in November as I was thinking about 2011. It has already affected how I am thinking. This is the third year for a word and I am excited about this one. Thanks Ali for the inspiration.
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RENAISSANCE - French for "rebirth". I will be moving halfway across the country in January. Finding and starting a new job. Reinventing myself in ways big and small.
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My word is positive-
"Confident in opinion or assertion; fully assured"
I hope to be more confident in myself-stop being so wishy-washy,stand up for myself and my opinions, feelings etc.
"Emphasizing what is laudable, hopeful or to the good"
I tend to be a 'glass half empty' kind of person and I'd like to try a little attitude adjustment.
My first word back in 2007 was positive and it helped me so much. I too tend to be a glass half empty kind of person and while I haven't got rid of it completely, it certainly improved a lot. Love it!
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My word is LEAD. I try to lead by example every day for my children And those around me.
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Hi Ali, I always enjoy browsing through your blog. You have inspired me in so many ways. I've chosen a word for the first time. Mine is 'peace'. It chose me. I got a Xmas card from my manager n it had a whit bird n the word peace. And I was telling myself I need to get rid of bagages in my life. If I have inner peace, then the rest will follow. Thank u thank u thank u. Hubby chose pro-active! He says he will journal about it too:)
Happy holidays to u n all bloggers!
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This is my favorite way to celebrate a new year beginning :) I have a NY gathering with two friends and it's become a "ritual" for us. Each of us thinks of reflective activities to do as a group and we enjoy a homemade lunch together after we complete our reflecting together. I've brought the idea of one little word for the year to the group and prompted the girls earlier this month to starting looking and listening for their words.
My word found me this year, as it has for the last three. This year my word is social. There's a long, long story that goes along with this word being the one this year. The shortened version is that in the past I've been extremely social (even though I'm an introvert). Several years ago a dynamic in friendships changed, and along with it went my desire to be social more often than not. It's time for social to come back. I'm ready!
Love this Jill.
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I am still trying to find my word for 2011. I'm leaning towards Clear or Clarity. In fact Clear may have just found me by way of your word, Light. We'll see what I pick.....
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Although I think about it every year, this is the first time I'm actually picking a word. It's "achievement". In 2011, I want to achieve something....whether it's the promotion at work, actually scrap booking loads of layouts, losing weight, running a 5k race....I want this to be the year that I actually achieve at least one of them! Thanks for this push to get me inspired...all year long!
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My word for 2011 is CHEF. It found me a couple of months ago and I have been living with it and trying new things, experimenting, staying focused. Thanks for the guidance and path!!
http://gronicktales.blogspot.com/2010/11/one-word.html
I love your word for 2011! Sounds like it will bring lots of opportunities.
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still waiting for the stillness of my OLW to find me for 2011, tossing around present, mindful, intention...wanting a word to identify with that is more about being present in every moment, to be involved instead of watching. my last 2 words have been patience (huge impact!) and balance for 2010, which worked, but didn't have the result that I was aiming for. I'm hoping I can settle on my word in the next few days now that the holidays are over and there is more quiet time. Will also be signing up for your BPC!
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Open. I've been participating in Reverb10 this month and in response to the prompt on December 1st I chose open as my word for 2011. In the post I talked about what being open might mean next year for me http://wp.me/p1dkDT-j. I think this course would be a good way for me to keep in touch with my word throughout the year.
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I did not choose my olw this year... my tennis coach did. He's been working with me to slow down my racket speed so I can gain better control of my forehand, and during the course of a one-hour lesson, he will tell me "slower" about 30-50 times. As I reflect on the pace of my life (and thus the pace I inflict on my family), I realize my daily life would be more enjoyable if I only slowed down. And just like my groundstrokes on the tennis court, I'm certain I will find that I have better control of my life when I deliberately choose to go slow.
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My word for 2011 is TRANSFORMATION. TRANSFORMATION of my body, my job, my education, my home, but also of my way of thinking, my self esteem, my depth of love for myself and others.
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My word this year has been Choose, as in: Choose wisely, it's all a choice, I can choose how I respond to things, etc. I wanted a word for 2011 that would be a little less heavy, I wanted something light and fun because I tend to get too serious about life. My word came to me and at first I resisted it because it seemed like it wasn't the right word. But the more I mull it over in my mind the more it fits and I'm pleased with it. My word is Create, and in many ways it is an extension of Choose, because I can Create joy in my life, I can Create a yummy meal, I can Create harmony in my home, I can Create laughter with others, I can Create a scrapbook page or a quilt, I can Create anything I Choose! I love it.
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ACCEPT
to take or receive (something offered); to accommodate or reconcile oneself to; to receive as to meaning; understand; to undertake the responsibility, duties, honors, etc
that's what i am hoping for this year...
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My word is balance. Trying to be mindful of finding a balance between work and free time. Sometimes I need to be reminded. I am hoping this will help me look for other ways to find balance in my life.
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"courage" my word found me and i hope that i will find "courage" in 2011. happy new year ali.
2 marys, same word! excited!
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My word for 2011 is "FAITH." This will be my first time with one little word, but I am very much looking forward to exploring my word and how many different aspects can be pursued with just one little word.
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My word for this year is journey - it holds a lot of promise and I am looking forward to seeing where my journey takes me. I am also looking forward to the class.
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