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
I'm still trying to see which word finds me. Rest seems to be coming up - although some of my past words seem to be popping into my head - joy, renew, seek, hope...... I think Rest will be 2012's first word (I tend to end up with two through out the year)
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It's going to be act. I'm so good at planning, and at having the intent to do something. This year I am going to act on those.
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That's going to be my word, too! It's time to get ideas out of my head and "act" -- not just think about it!
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My One Little Word for 2012 is "Ahead." I'm often told that I live life based on the past. It's a temptation for everyone I think. I want my outlook, decisions, and relationships to be based on what is ahead and not what is behind me.
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I loved last year's class even though I didn't manage to keep up with it. When I started thinking about next year's class I thought I would like to procrastinate less so I started researching the opposite of procrastination. What I found was surprising and it rang true immediately: discipline. I kne I had found my one little word ;D
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My word for 2012 is FOCUS.
I have been trying to launch a work-from-home business and find that I suffer from lack of focus. The daily tasks of taking care of my kids and my house interrupt my daily tasks of getting my business off the ground and vice versa. I want to focus on my family, my relationship with my husband, my health, my fitness, my friendships and my memory keeping. Seems like a lot but I know that through your class I can break it down into manageable portions. I can't wait to start!!
See you in 2012!!
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2011 was cherish for me and 2012 is going to be faith
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Great post Ali. I haven't chosen my word for 2012 yet. I just wanted to wish you a very wonderful year, even though it seems like it may not be the easiest for you...
I was one of those people that would never notice anything was going wrong in your family and happened to read that post about changes in your life just recently. I'm so sorry for all you have to go through. Honestly, it affected me so much that I couldn't even leave a comment, I just sat and cried... I pulled up some old magazines and looked through your StudioA columns... those were a perfect pictures of a happy family...
You inspired so many of us! I know, many of us wanted to be Ali... but life is so unpredictable and things that we don't expect happen without notice. If you stay close to Lord he will never leave you. And I'm sure He has something wonderful already planned for you, even though it's really hard to see right now.
Very best wishes to you and your little family this Holiday Season and let the New 2012 Year be one of the best years for you yet! We love you and pray for you.
Your long time follower, Anya.
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My word this year is Write...to take the time to write more letters, send more cards, leave little notes for those I cherish, to record my stories and my family's stories...
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love this word, great idea and I'm sure it will make others happy to get hand written letters/cards from you. Have fun with this word and your New Year!!
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Dare - 2012
Dare to resolve my fear of flying.
Dare to begin a new career adventure.
Dare to let go of self-imposed limitations.
Dare to open up to life's possibilities.
Dare to be present in each moment.
Dare to know myself better.
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i like 'dare' a lot!
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Ready.
For 2012, I'll be getting ready for what's next because:
1. I know it will be big and
2. I know it will be good
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I have chosen embrace...I am going to embrace all things...the good and the bad.
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My word for 2012 is fearless. I have been thinking about how as I get older I seem to resist change and put up more barriers and don't try as many new things. I don't want to be that old woman whose world is so narrow and small. I want to learn to let go and be fearless!
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Uplift...
"May Christ Lift Thee Up." Moroni 9:25
To accept all the support and strength from Christ... to share that light with others by being an uplifting and positive person... to uplift my family by doing my duties happily (this is the hard one for me!)
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Ali - I am so excited about the 2012 word! I this movie so so so much, it's my favorite all time movie! It is so inspiring and it reminds me of my late grandparents, they were so much like this! and even after my grandmother passed away my Grandpa, although so hard, had a full life for the next 5 years ... GREAT CHOICE! I am signing up right now! lots of happy thoughts in my heart right now. thanks, thanks, thanks so super cool! :) Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Ali, I watched the link to the movie UP that you posted and I found it so moving. You have picked an awesome word.
My word is gratitude. It has found me. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with my family so we all may grow.
I just joined your one little word class at Big Picture and I am very excited!
Happy 2012. May it be UPlifting for you and your family.
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My word for 2012 is 'carpe diem', I am embarking on Project Life and want 2012 to be about making the most of each day and the little things, as it's usually these that matter more than the big events.
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HOPE...I choose hope, hoping I can help a person get through a tragedy. Ali, your inspiration and positive attitude is remarkable. You truly are a inspiration to us all!!!
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My word this year (my first year choosing a word) will be thanksgiving. Hoping to take your class!
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My word is renew.
It's time to renew alot of areas in my life.
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Last year my word was "RELEASE" and I didn't do anything with it - I think because I was focusing on what I didn't want, i.e. "release the stress, release the guilt". This time I am focusing on what I do want. My word for 2012 is "FUTURE". I tend to make choices throughout may day not considering how it will affect my future, and the future of my children. This encompasses everything, from establishing good habits, to my health, to the way that I choose to spend every minute of my day. Happy new year Ali :)
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Thanks for sharing. I was considering "release" but your comments about what you didn't want are helpful. I'm considering simplify, simple or simplicity...
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