One Little Word 2012
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Poster print via Poster Inspired.
My word for 2012 is up.
It came to me one day last month while I was working in the kitchen and the kids were watching the movie Up. My initial connection to the word stems from the part towards the end where the old man is looking at the scrapbook his wife made and a note she wrote to him at the end which says something along the lines of "Thanks for the adventure. Now go have a new one." (Found the clip here.)
That's the attitude I'd like to be working towards and embracing in 2012 - giving thanks for the things that were great about my marriage and then moving forward and welcoming whatever is coming next.
Up | ready, eager, open, awake, into a happy mood
There were so many words I could have chosen for what I want for myself in 2012. This one simply feels like a good starting place. I will also be carrying three of my past words close to my heart again in 2012: light, story, and peace.
Are you considering selecting a word for yourself (or letting one find you)? 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 2012. 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 days I'll combine all the words into a single post - super inspiring to see all the words in one place.
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, 2010 and 2011.
Above is an image of all my prompts from my album that I made for my One Little Word class at Big Picture in 2011.
Registration is open for 2012 and you're invited to join the journey.
Each month you'll receive a prompt with a simple creative, writing, or photography 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, 2012.

TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY |Simplify 101 Online Workshops
Regardless what word you select, choosing a word means you want to make your life even better than it is today. The very essence of One Little Word is improving your life, which is why this online workshop is perfect for you. It gives you the foundation, ideas and inspiration you need to dream about a life you love, plus concrete action steps to help you make it happen! Use code: ONELITTLEWORD through January 6, 2012 to take 15% off any simplify 101 workshop (may not be combined with other offers). ABOUT SIMPLIFY 101 | Founded by Aby Garvey, the co-author of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, simplify 101’s mission is to make getting organized fun!

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986 comments
My word for 2012 is CHANGE. I'm pregnant with our first child and due date is April 22. So 2012 will mean a lot of changes for me: my body, my 24hrs, my patience, my relationship, my home, my economy, my perspective on life and so, so much more.
I'm looking forward to see what 2012 will bring. I don't feel sad to see 2011 ending - it's been a hard year on myself and my family. Now we're all embracing new, happy times and look forward to welcoming the miracle of life into our family! :-)
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Congrats on your upcoming change! Preparing for what you know will change and embracing the changes you can't forsee with a new little one will certainly make for a wonderful 2012.
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My word is emerge - i have just left an abusive marriage and have been invisible - i am slowly but surely ready to emerge 'and become visible'.
hugs to you Ali!
andrea
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Focus. As in focus on what is going on right now. If it is time to play my daughter focus on her - not the 50 bajillion other things i need to do later. If it is the time i set aside to work on projects i need to focus on my project not get distracted by other things (like the tv).
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My word for 2012 was obvious- HEALTH. I had a major flare-up of my rare autoimmune disease this year and was off work for several months. But HEALTH means more to me than just my physical being- I would like to work towards healthier relationships and a healthier mental/spiritual life as well!
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Breakthrough
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My word for 2012 is "Flower".
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enough
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What a great attitude Ali!
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I started thinking about my OLW a few weeks ago and it didn't take long to come up with mine this year: SIMPLIFY. I know many of us are feeling the same way - life is so busy that we lost sight of the important things. I'm starting already by cleaning out the clutter that surrounds me in my home.
The OLW project has been so meaningful to me over the past few years. EMBRACE, ABIDE, and ACHIEVE have been my previous words and each year has had me focusing on those concepts in many different ways.
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Hi Ali, my one little word for 2012 is transcend.
In my life I strive for peace within myself on a daily basis. I don't always succeed however, it is a continous state in which I strive to exist in. With that being said, as events play out, emotions and challenges arise, my personal goal for inner growth is is to love unconditionally and transcend my inner reistance(s)that prevent me from achieving peace.
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Balance will be my word this year, it looks like it has been popular in previous years. I need to work on finding a balance between work, me, family, eating, exercise... Pretty much everything is unbalanced at the moment so I don't think a little balance can hurt. :) This will be my first year not just reading along but participating with OLW, I am excited.
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I'm thinking of the word organizing and completing. I'm overflowing with 'too much' and 'not enough time'.
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My word for this year is 'whole'
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My word for 2012 is DREAM. I want to remind myself that while being a mamma to three little boys is the best job in the world, I don't have to sacrifice dreaming big dreams. Hopefully big things will be happen in 2012 with my word as a constant reminder along the way!
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2012 two words come to mine FOCUS and ADVENTURE. We are moving--from Indiana to Minn. So much to do, looking forward to seeing my Minn. friends alot.
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My word for 2012 is FOCUS. Things have been crazy busy in 2011, and I feel like I have been in survival mode for several months. In 2012, I really want to focus on me (eating healthy and getting fit), my family (spending more focused time with my husband and both of my boys), my house (getting rid of clutter), and even my scrapbooking (it's time to stop dreaming and start doing!). I suppose in a play on words, I would also like to improve my photography skills, learning how to focus my camera and play with other settings as well.
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I choose MINDFUL
MINDFUL with my words
MINDFUL with my time
MINDFUL with what I put into my body
MINDFUL of my wonderful children
MINDFUL of my commitment to my husband/partner/friend
MINDFUL of my friendships
MINDFUL of capturing memories/stories/pictures
Thanks Ali! I'm looking forward to participating for the first time this year.
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I have so many happy & exciting things happening in 2012 that I chose "ENJOY" as my OLW 2012. I want to enjoy every single moment since it's so fleeting.
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control....be aware of what is under my control, be concious to exercise my control, recognize what is not under my control, accept it and move forward.
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My word for 2012 is RECORD. I want be more faithful in recording my memories for future generations. I want to keep up with my Project Life type yearly scrapbook and start a journal about what is going on in my life, feelings and scriptures that really hit me at that moment.
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