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
Emerge is my word for 2012. The past year or so has been challenging. I am now ready to "emerge" from that time. Can't wait to see what emerge brings to my life. Loved your class last year so signed up for it again...
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Intentional. I want to live with intention. Life is short and yet, has so much to offer. I wrote about it here - http://www.jennymeyerson.com/uncategorized/my-2012-word-intentional/
And I think your choice is perfect. What a blessing and a gift to look for the good in your marriage.
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The word JOY chose me a few months ago. It was showing up everywhere as I was struggling with other issues. I think it picked me so that I can be more open to find joy in more places even while other parts of my life might not be where I would like it to be.
I love your word Ali! That part of the movie UP was my very favorite part. It made me a little teary even. Looking forward to sharing our journeys in 2012!
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I am retiring my word of the last 2 years, but will keep it close as it has done so much for me. That word was FAITH. The new word is BATHROOM. We have a bathroom remodel project that we just can't seem to get going and I want to get it done in 2012.
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Jena, I'm going to love watching your journey!
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"deserving"
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I love this! This word is full of gratitude and self-loving. :)
YES!! deserving! i was looking for a word to express the path i am on - one of loving and accepting myself completely. at first i tried on the word acceptance, but i wanted a richer, deeper, more active word. in reading here, i found the word BELIEVE. yes, that's my word. and a big part of that is believing that i deserve my love (and lots of other stuff). enjoy your word.
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For 2012 the word that is speaking to me is GRAVITY. I can't let go of last year's word balance, but I am excited about where gravity will take me. Thank you Ali for sharing your talents with us.
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My word for 2012 is "focus." I have enjoyed doing OLW this year and am looking for to repeating the experience.
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From the book titled "10 Mindful Minutes" by Goldie Hawn, I've chosen the word Mindful. Mindful of my attitude, mindful of my blessings, mindful of letting anger control my words, mindful of my faith, mindful of my reactions to things I can't control.
I'm really looking forward to a New Year! 2011 will likely be remembered for more bad than good; I will be mindful to do what I can to make this year different!
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This is my 5th year with OLW. I chose Mindful. Thank you for the inspiration. Also checking out the books you have mentioned. I've neglected my marriage lately (2 kids, job, etc) and really want to be mindful of that relationship as well as other things in my life.
I, too, have chosen mindful after narrowing down my list. I tend to be a "busy-body" about life and find myself thinking about the next thing while I'm doing the first thing. I guess that's how busy moms are but I hope to be mindful of my actions, faith, family and all areas of my life. This is my first year doing OLW and I'm really excited about it.
JoAnn
Steph,
Great word. So much of what you said applies to me also. I am going to check out the book. I also read about being mindful in anything you are doing. Just put your focus on that one thing at that time and don't think or do anything else at the same time. :)
I also am considering MINDFUL as my word, also from my recent reading list. I am reading Buddism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali. I have a two year old and a 6 month old and this word works for me as a focus on what important rolemedel I want to be for my girls. Last year while pregnant I chose MOMENT and loved that word as a reminder to live in the moment and enjoy the quickly passing moments of a tiny baby at home. Ali, thank you for OLW inspiration, book suggestions, and being such an honest, inspiring person.
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I think my word for 2012 will be OPEN. Last year my word was JOY and I really enjoyed the class. Looking forward to doing it again.
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Jill, that is a great word! Good luck with your journey this year.
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My word is pray.
My family will continue to experience many changes in 2012 and I want to remind myself that there is so much power in prayer.
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Intereseting post from above, Michelle, my word was focus for 2011! it was an awesome word and i seriously was considering going forward with it for another year, that is how great it was for me!!! but as Ali says having it close is almost as good or extension of itself...all good things.
I am contemplating the word Quest, love the Q for the start and its design properties but also what it means. a little more research is in order but 99 percent suree that is what will guide me this year. i did sign up for BPC one little word last year and hope to get back to finishing all the pages. i started some and finished only one! that will be part of my quest...finish things!!!!
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My OLW for this year is CULTIVATE. Through my OLW, mindfulness, last year, I learned that I have many passions in life. I want to learn how to cultivate each one in a more balanced and healthy manner!!
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I {heart} your word! Great word. I hope you are as successful as am amish farmer with it, wink.
Cultivate - that is a wonderful word with many possibilities, good luck!
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my word is savor, because I think I need to stop rushing and live the moment, learn to savor every second of life, ordinary moments that make life worthwhile. this year, I'll be following OLW class, it may help me go further, deeper than past years.
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I love reading through everyone's choices and Ali, your choice UP is wonderful. You always uplift and inspire. My word for 2012 is DELIBERATE. I have a lot going on in my life a d often feel overwhelmed in a sea of projects. I want to focus on one thing at a time and be in the moment when I am doing whatever, including stopping to rest. Last year my word was COMPLETE and it has bee. Satisfying to complete various projects and goals. Wishing you all the very best in the New Year. Deb, Australia.
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Nurture.
Looking forward to 2012!
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Hi Jessica - This is an amazing word and one I would have never thought of though it encompasses all the things I'm yearning for in the coming year. Nurture myself, nurture my relationships, nurture my family, etc. 2011 was a rough one I need some nurturing in 2012. Still not sure but thanks for the inspiration!
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I've decided to join you in 2012 for One Little Word. My word is: RENEW
It came to me yesterday as I was reading a book....and it's fitting. I want to renew my love of reading, renew my spirit, renew who I am, renew relationships with family members, renew my vitality, renew my attitude......RENEW!
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hi staci! that was my word last year!! i got the lisa leonard necklace with it too... nice to have right near me. have fun with your word!
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my word is savor. i wanted to combine gratitude, joy, mindfulness, so I came up with savor. I am in the class and can't wait to start :)
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My word is expand - I've focused, reached, been inspired - it's time to dig deeper.
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Presence is my OLW this year. I have had a very difficult time choosing a word this year- in years past the word always chose me. I loved my experience with the class this past year and I am looking forward to a new year with a new word.
I love your word- up. And your outlook on your marriage, focusing on the good and positive as it is coming to its end. I am constantly bouyed "up" by your attitude and inspiration. Thank you for being an amazing woman.
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I was reflecting on my word for last year, which was "explore", and I had the funny thought that I needed to be very careful with the word I choose this year (something like be careful what you pray for....), because I actually explored many uncomfortable and painful things; that was not my original intention.
I want to choose "joy", but there are a few other words calling to me, like trust, or relax.
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That has happened to me with a word in the past....has presented itself in ways I didn't expect when I chose it. This years word has seemed to chosen me..and I am not sure why..but I may just go with it!
Margaret, I often find that happens after I choose my word. It's meaning often expands to include things that I never thought of.
My word at the moment is NOW. To live in the now, not the past - to do things now, to explore who I am now. My word found me this morning so I am still exploring it.
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