One Little Word® 2014
Tags:
Make your word visible: Order your own word from recycled matericals created by artist Colleen Attara here.
My One Little Word for 2014 is thrive.
This year, more than any other I can remember, I'm starting off the year with questions. What does it mean for me to thrive? What does it look like? What does it fee like? Are there areas in which I'm already thriving? What's realistic vs. visions of what I have in my head of what it means to thrive?
Open was an awesome word for me last year. It was a touchstone as I navigated my way through growing pains and man oh man did it work in a million different ways I could not have imagined when I started 2013. More often than not when faced with a decision, I chose to open more rather than closing off which was my number one intention last year. That said, I feel like I've been spinning in circles a lot this past year. I've been reacting vs. being proactive and have been dealing with a variety of issues related to stress and growth (totally all part of my own life journey).
To me thriving is optimal living. It's being present and awake and stepping up to be my best self physically, emotionally, spiritually, creatively and within my relationships.
It's not a quest for perfection. It's an opportunity to continue choosing to let go of things outside of my control and to figure out who that best-me-right-now really is.
It will be a whole new journey and I'm here to tell you I welcome it wholeheartedly.
Bring on 2014.
This year I invited my friend Elise Blaha Cripe to film a little video about her experience with One Little Word. One of the reasons I admire Elise is that she is awesome at follow-through and documentation. I've loved reading about her experience with her words over the last few years on her blog and she inspires me consistently with her projects and her real-life reflections.
Here's Elise in her own words:
Thank you Elise for sharing about your own journey here.
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.
SHARE YOUR WORD THE COMMENTS | I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2014. 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.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
ONE LITTLE WORD® 2014 |To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. Registration is $5 off until December 31.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
938 comments
My OLW is Focus....
I am not completely sure what the reason is for this word but after reading your post this was the very first word that came to my mind so that is what I am using! :) This is my first time doing the OLW and I can't wait to put it to great use for the year!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word for 2014 is grace.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
embrace
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
It has taken me a long time but I think I've finally settled on the word "REFRESH". This can mean to refresh others or your body, mind, soul, etc. :-)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word is LESS
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
my word is INVEST-spend time, empower,give,devote,learn, enrich my life in 2014.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali,
My first time with this challenge and it feels like a great idea and one i should go with, so my word is BELIEVE. Its something i dont do a lot. I tend to be very negative about things in my life so im starting 2014 with a postive vibe.
Happy New Year
Gill x
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[…] acompanho o projeto da Ali a alguns anos mas ainda não consegui colocar as palavras que escolhe em ação na minha vida. Para […]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
HARMONY
I had thought I would pick a different word, but this word found me... I wrote about it on my blog today: http://schulmanart.blogspot.com/2014/01/one-little-word.html
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[…] I decided to do this year was have a word to keep in mind as I move through the year (inspired by Ali). My word is […]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Release.
I choose it because it scares me. At first it just sort of came to me, and I resisted, because it didn't feel right - right as in fitting, comfortable, comforting, convenient.
Releasing control is the scariest thing I can think of to do right now. And so that is why I must choose it.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
STEWARDSHIP
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word is BALANCE.
It is particularly interesting to me because I have been a dance teacher and choreographer for most of my life and I find that I am NOT very good at it! Ever since menopause, my physical balance has been tenuous and I find that it is a big issue in other areas of my life as well. I hope that making the word BALANCE more visible in my life in 2014 will challenge me and reward me in many different ways. It certainly is full of possibilities.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word is STRENGTHEN, with a focus on body, faith and relationships.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
This year my word is BLISS. I have become so consumed with being critical of others and the way they choose to live their lives that I am missing out on living and celebrating my own.
Perfect happiness and serene joy- that's what I want for myself and my life in 2014.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[…] I’m flying, I’ll be stitching! If you’re joining in on the One Little Word action and would like to stitch yourself a wall hanging or pillow or pin cushion to keep your word in […]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word for the year is GRACE. This word actually found me in August--as a teacher, I kind of have the benefit of two "New Years" each year. As the school year began again for this perfectionist mom of 3 (two under age 2!) I realized that in order to survive I would have to release the burden of perfection that I place on myself and give myself some grace. The journey with this word has been amazing in the last five months and I don't feel that this word is finished with me yet, so I'm bringing it into 2014 as my official One Little Word!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Perspective, I've always wanted to learn to draw and decided to do one a day. I will hopefully use more meanings for this word.
Thank you Ali for doing this and loved reading the words all of use chose.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[…] Edwards challenges us to select one little word for the year 2014. I like this simple yet powerful resolve to be dedicated to one word. A friend […]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
[…] Naming the New Year has become a tradition that travels over miles and connects me in spirit to the company of an old friend; a kindred spirit who similarly seeks inspiration and growth in personal expression. Each year we gift the New Year a name that weighs our consciousness in accountability for our hopes, creates momentum with positive intention, and lends direction with clarity of perspective. It is an exercise created by Ali Edwards who crafted a movement of inspiration and a community of creativity around One Little Word. […]
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.