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 "Overcome," because greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world.
I'm also going to attempt to get the money together to do the class!
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This is an awesome word -- and motivation to handle life with grace and faith.
I hope you can get the funds to take this class ... it is well worth it! :)
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My word is "Grow Up." It is a reminder to work hard and be dsciplined. Don't be lazy or childlike in not doing something just because it is hard or I don't feel like it. I need to be more mature about some things in life. I think it will be a good year, and productive in some areas I've been neglecting.
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My word for 2012 is HEART.
I yearn to "get out" of my head and live from my heart. Paying attention to what my heart is telling me, not what my head says (I tend to overthink most things). My personal belief is that my heart knows best, when I listen to what my heart is saying or feeling I will know the way. My heart is my compass to living my life in the most authentic way possible. I could go on and on here, it's all so exciting. This is the first year that my word really, truly chose me. I've never had this happen, it's quite amazing to have your word choose you. Can't wait for the journey to begin and so excited to participate in your One Little Word class this year.
Many wishes to you Ali and your kids for the best 2012. I know it will be for you, you are full of such strength and optimism!
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My word for 2012 is Adventure. My husband just joined the US Navy a fwe months ago, and although he does not leave for basic training until September, and we won't have to move until November, I know that this year is going to be an adventure. My goal is also to create a bit more adventure in our lives this year. Create adventures for ourselves by getting out of the house and moving. Creating a 5k adventure for myself. Sewing adventures. Cooking adventures. The adventure of Project Life. At first I wasn't sure it was going to be my word this year, but the more I thought about it the more I was willing to take and adventure with adventure!
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Listen
- instead of talking (anyone else see this as a challenge that may be too big to conquer?)
- instead of interrupting (another challenge since you have to know you're doing it before you can stop doing it)
- instead of trying to always fix
- to the rhythms of our family life (and then follow those rhythms)
- to the details
- to absorb stories
- to ask better questions
- for hidden messages or the undercurrents of what's really being said
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This is my word too. I know I always talk over people- family, friends, my kids, my students, co-workers, and I need to just shut my mouth :)! Sometimes I am filled with excitement that I just keep rambling, but sometimes I just want to move on and I know what someone is going to say (or I think I do) so I just start talking.
I want to listen more to others, but also to my body, and the environment around me which will hopefully make me more present in daily living.
Good Luck with your journey to Listen too!
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My word is SEASON. I feel like I really need to embrace the changing seasons. I've always lived in the South, but moved North 5 years ago -- and I'm still struggling with 4 distinct seasons. Many people talk about what a blessing it is -- but I still struggle with the drastic changes. Which brings me to the second side of 'season' -- our family is about to experience a new season in our lives -- and I don't do good with change! So I want to embrace the changes that will be made this year. I want to savor the seasons {and seasonings} that life has for me. :)
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Season is a great word and being from the North (now living in the South), I am one of those who believes the changing of the seasons is a real blessing. This past year as I did my first project life, I made a point to stop and take notice of the changing of the seasons here in the South and I found myself getting impatient waiting for it to happen, as I would hear from family and friends in the North about their changing of the seasons. Things do indeed move slower in the South and I still do truly appreciate the changing and changes that each season brings. I have never done the OWL class but I am contemplating it with the words Thankful and patience. I don't have a clear grasp of how OWL works yet and plan to research it more tonight in hopes of making a decision on it. Embrace "Seasons"... it's a wonderful choice of word.
It occurred to me on my drive home, as I was thinking about One Little Word that I incorrectly stated it as OWL instead of OLW. Oops! :o)
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My word is nourish. I did this for the first time last year with the word story and loved the way this project gave direction and motivation to my life. Looking forward to spending 2012 nourishing myself and those around me.
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This will be my first year of OLW and my word is LIVE. My life imploded a few years ago, things have got better, I'm more settled and am happier, but I've come to realise that I've just been existing. 2012 is going to be the year when I learn to live again. I don't know how I'm going to do this but I am determined to try!!
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My OLW for 2012 is UnClutter...my house choose it :) and I need some space around me to make some quiet moments around me and in my head.
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My 2012 One Little Word is Redirect.
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My word is going to be light. Last year it was "better," because any little improvement was a help. This year I want to focus on both physically being lighter and finding what is light and funny and uplifting in my every day. I always love your words, Ali, and while I am not officially participating in the One Little Word class this time, I really enjoyed it in 2011 and highly recommend it. I will be following along with last year's prompts with my new word. Kudos to you on the class and also on your attitude about keeping the good from the past and focusing on the adventure to come. I wish you the very best.
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In 2010 my word was "Imagine". I took that word to heart and did just that. I went back to school because I could imagine myself finally earning my degree. I wore my word around my neck. In 2011 the word "MORE" chose me. I combined it so that I could "Imagine More". I added to my necklace as a reminder. 2011 was a very big year for me; I graduated with one degree, took and passed a very intense national certification, continued on in school for another degree to go along with the first and my family and I bought and moved into our first home.
As 2011 comes to a close I have specific goals I see for myself in other areas of my life such as fitness, spirituality, creativity and career. My word hasn't chosen me just yet, but I do not worry because as the days go by and the new year grows closer I know that my heart will tell me what my OLW should be.
Thanks so much Ali for the many years of wonderful encouragement. The OLW class is just want is needed to give life to our words. I didn't finish the book quite yet for 2011, but it hasn't stopped me from signing up for 2012.
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My word for 2012 is Peace. I used this word several years ago but it found me again this year. Looking forward to incorporating this word in my daily busy life.
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I didn't do this last year, but would like to partake in it again because I missed it.
My word this year is: TRUTH
I want to be upfront and honest in my dealings with my heart, and in the world around me. It's alright for things to be not perfect, truth is what matters. I want to embrace TRUTH in my life.
Hugs,
Jen in Wisconsin
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Focus. I want to remain focused on the kind of mother I want to be, more patience and more fun. Focus on financial fitness, save more and spend less. Focus on physical fitness, start doing more to get in better shape and stop wanting to. Here is to a great year!
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My word for 2012 is light. I hadn't realized/remembered that it was your word last year, and for a minute for wish to be original or unique made me rethink it...but it is the right word for me this year.
My son's preschool has a sign at the exit that reads "Look to the light" and I'm constantly reminded of quote Gretchen Rubin often refers to: "It's easy to be heavy, hard to be light." I have a tendency to be heavy in my thoughts and words, and want to choose a lighter approach.
I want to be physically lighter, I want my impact on the earth to be lighter, but mostly I want to clear my way so I can look to the light and be a light in the lives of those I love.
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Dierdre, I also choose Light for next year and pretty much for the same reasons. It's a great word and so multifaceted.
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My word has chosen me. My son is starting to hit the 'terrible twos' and I am finding I am not at all prepared for it (not that you could ever be), but the last two days have tried my patience terribly. I was reduced to tears in church as I prayed for strength. Strength. I want strength to nurture me, my family, our lives. I want strength for parenting. I want strength to be behind many positive things I want to happen in 2012. Thank you for allowing me to share. =) Happy New Year!
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Great word, Melissa! Strength was my word a few years ago when I was struggling with severe anxiety. Every year after, it's remained my secondary word because I can't quite let it go. :) Good luck!
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Mine is intentional. I chose it because I want the things I choose to do in my life to matter. That may even extend to intentionally put aside work and go have fun with my husband, but I want to think about the choices I make to enable me to live a richer, more full life.
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My word this year is going to be LOVE. I want to focus on loving life and loving the people in my life more deeply, more selflessly, more genuinely.
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Authentic. I've been musing recently on what it really means to be authentic and whether I live authentically. As a result, my self-improvement project for 2012 is be strive to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks of my words and actions and worry about whether they really represent who I am. So this will be my word for the year.
Last year I kept 3 words in mind: confidence, vitality, and decisiveness. I didn't think about them all the time, but they were always in the back of my mind, popping to my attention when I most needed the reminders. Definitely helped me move toward some goals I had for my personal growth.
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