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 would be "Understanding" I would love to understand where I fit in my world around me and to understand my children, husband, family and those I work with. I would also like to be understood by my family and friends. I would also like to be someone who understands the hopes and dreams of others.
I hope this is an upbeat word for me. First time I have thought about a word for myself.
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This year I plan to focus on working on my SELF. I need to change some bad habits, give myself time to create, and become more mindful of my inner self. In the past year, I have worried about everyone else and not given my body and health the attention it deserves. I think my word needs to be SELF>
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[...] recently passed this link about “one word for 2012” on to Her Highness, who wrote on her own perspective on her [...]
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Ali, your word is really great and I wish you all the very best with it in 2012! My word for next year is ILLUMINATE. 2011 was a rather "dark" year for me and I just know that 2012 will be sooo much better!
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My one little word for 2012 is AUTHENTIC. My 14 year marriage ended this year and I recently learned about months of lies and deception. I am letting go of the past, of the hurts and misery and moving forward with love for myself, grace and forgiveness for my part and embracing the choices I can make on my journey. AUTHENTIC choices. My OLW for last year was TRUTH and I believe that will go hand in hand for this year as well. Thank you Ali and Happy New Year. You have a beautiful spirit. XO!!!
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My word for this year is going to be ENJOY....Something I haven't had much time for over the last few years....To just simply ENJOY all that life has to offer. My life has been quite stressful over the last few years....Now that I've graduated from college with my BS, and I have a wondeful fiance and my life is settled, it is time to ENJOY.....
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I'm coming down to the wire and I think my OLW for 2012 will be RECONNECT. I'd like to get back to some old friends (people friends, hobbies that have been cast aside, getting out in nature, etc.).
Thanks for all the inspiration you give, Ali!
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Just found your website linked from Lisa Leonard's blog and love this concept! My word for 2012 is....abide....i am already making every effort to abide in Jesus as He abides in me, a branch not apart from the vine.
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PRIDE
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My word is "solid".
Safe, secure, stable, resilient, real, unbroken. Solid in parenting, in my marriage, in my life, in my job. Just a very needed word in very many aspects right now, that I will be working on.
And, I will still be working with last year's word, which was "whole". They kind of go together, and I think the latter is something we continue to work on throughout our lives.
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[...] people already know of Ali Edward’s One Little Word. For those that don’t, it is the idea of choosing a word for the coming year. Using it to [...]
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Embrace. Embrace the successes, failures and challenges of goals I make. Embrace the people I love. Embrace those that need some encouragement.
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My word for this year is "Balance"
Last year my word was Choose, which helped me to accomplish many of my goals. One was starting my own Etsy shop. So far my business has been keeping me very busy (which is a good thing) but now I just need balance in my life!
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This is my third year to have a word, my word this year was CREATE and has been an amazing year culminating with expecting a new baby in the next few weeks. With the new baby coming and all the changes with expanding our family the words CHERISH and NURTURE keep popping up everywhere recently.
There are many aspects of my life which need nurturing this coming year
our new baby
my daughter
my relationship
my friendships
my dreams
my memory keeping and not least myself.
I just signed up for the OLW course as with so much transition looming the monthly prompts will help to keep NURTURE in focus.
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ENERGY - I am so lacking in this commodity - I really need to make it my focus of 2012. What a great idea the one word is - I have loved reading all the other comments and words everyone has left.
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I tried on a few words and the one fitting the best is CHARGE. Charge, like a charging rhino. Charge, like the cavalry leading the way. Charge, like electrifying excitement. Charge, as in Charge!!
In 2012, I need to take charge, allow myself to be in charge, charge forth without abandon, and also charge my batteries. 2011 for me was a year of rest and renewal; 2012 needs to be a year of action and forward motion.
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I have never done this before. But THIS is the year. If Ali can do it with her unique struggles this year, SO CAN I. My word is . . . INTENT. I want to speak only (mostly?) intentional words (no backstabbing, gossip or mindless chatter) just words that improve me and my relationships and boost people UP. I want to eat with intention, not just mindfully stuff my face; eat healthful nourishing food and eat treats that I LOVE, not just pick and eat things that are unhealthy AND taste only so-so. (Does that even make sense???) I want to work out and get fit doing things that I love;
walking the dog, playing with my kids, join a soccer team.
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My little word is a very big one for me: "ENJOY".
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I love all of the inspiring words everyone selected. I could chose any of them to my advantage and growth in 2012. I must admit Ali's word "up" resonated with me when I read it. My word is "health" as I have been ill for almost a year and found myself depressed b/c I had no control over what my body. I am going to do all I can to promote my good health by putting into place all things that are healthy. In turn I hope this will change my mood into a happy and "up" state of mind. I might need to relocate away from the Gulf due to my high sensitivity to mold-I'm ready to do so! I look forward in being part of this process.
Thank you Ali.
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My word will be 'engender'. My life is moving forward but in concentrating on job, flat, relationship, the dog... I feel my creativity has been lost and in a way I've lost myself. I want to go back to not just creating in the crafty sense but I want to get myself back, engender a more creative and spirited life.
I'm a bit apprehensive - what if I've lost myself so thoroughly I can't get this feeling back? But I'm looking forward to the journey.
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