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
After some thought, and a couple of tough years, I think my word needs to be FREE. I need to free myself up from many things - negativity, emotional pain, anxiety and fear, caring too much what others think, not trusting myself, faulty thinking, resentment...If I can FREE myself from all these negative forces in my life, then I will be FREE to pursue, create, and become whom I'm meant to be. The best me.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
A few years ago, my OLW was "connect." As I've been thinking about my OLW for 2014, I can't get that word out of my head. So even though it's not what I thought I'd choose, my one little word this year is CONNECT... again. :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I've been doing a form of "One Little Word" for the past 3 years. Each year, I come up with a mission statement to guide my life in the year to come.
This year, my mission statement was inspired by a homeless man I saw a couple of blocks from my office. He was holding a sign that said:
"Everything is a Blessing."
Replies
This is great Amy!
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My one little word is also Thrive. I have faced a lot of challenges over the last three years. That said I feel like this year I am starting off from a position where I can THRIVE and not just survive. I am looking forward to all the places my one little word will take me this year. Thanks Ali!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
This is my fifth year to choose a OLW. For some reason,I am having a hard time selecting a word. I know from past words that I do better with concrete action verbs than I do with abstract, concept words (did better with choose and accept than I did with patience and joy). This year I want a word that means do what I know I need to do (such as, move more, eat less chocolate, be an active listener, etc.). I am not sure what word really conveys this. I thought about "do" but i am not sure that is it. i know what i need to do, I just don't always do what I need to. Does this even make sense? Any ideas anyone?
Replies
Hmmm, will might work. Thanks.
Hello Laurie,
What about WILL ?
Hello Laurie,
in 2011 I had the same goals and chose the word FOCUS, it was amazing: I focused on exercising more, cooking healthier meals,being more present for my family and taking time for friends.
Good luck with your OLW for 2014. Birgit
Sign in or sign up to reply.
SEE.
This is my 6th year doing One Little Word and my second year doing the workshop. I'm excited to SEE the things I love about my husband instead of the things that annoy me. To SEE my children's innocence and love in times when I'm frustrated with them. To SEE the options for my professional life instead of feeling trapped by the lack thereof. I have a lot to SEE in 2014.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
STAND ..... it came and simply wouldn't leave
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
consistency
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Become. All you have to do is read Velveteen Rabbit to know why :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My 2012 word was ADAPT so I could consciously work at my post-retirement life. My amazing discovery was that I didn't have to adapt like I thought;I was ready to stop working. But without the distractions, alone with myself, I saw that I hadn't ever really dealt with my true self after years and years of a busy life. Life can be a series of opposites: I love being alone, but am lonely. Friends have become acquaintances. I have many interests and hobbies but no one to share them with. My 2014 work is EMBRACE--who I am, my introversion, take action with my hobbies and interests, acknowledge hurts and sadness instead of trying to convince myself I have to be strong.
Thank you Ali.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My words for 2014 are Release and Joy. I whant to release from the past, from emotional strain, to give up from everything that no longer help me to progress in life. Joy found me in the holidays in many ways and is perfect because through release I whant to put more joy in all areas of my life and evolve to a better me.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
This is my first time doing OLW and the word I have chosen for 2014 is HOME.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
MOTIVATED
I'm hoping to get MOTIVATED again to do a lot of things in 2014 that I just didn't do in 2013.
One being to scrapbook ( I have really slacked off)
Two is to just get up off that sofa (I've become a real couch potato this past year)
Three is to keep my house clean (I do not like housework! and it shows)
Four I hope to be more Motivated to do spur of the moment things instead of finding excuses to not do them.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word found me this time and am so excited, 2013 was a stressful year. As I bid it farewell I am looking forward to ENJOYing all that this new year will bring to all aspects of my life.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
RELEASE
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word for 2014 is aim. I am aiming with intention toward some very important goals. I chose aim because there will be many paths to my goals but as long as my aim is always in the direction of my goals I think i will feel confident in what I am doing. I want to focus on where I am headed so my aim has to be pointed in the direction of my goals.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My OLW for 2014 is PHOTO.
This encompasses a number of goals I want to achieve including learning how to use my DSLR I got for Christmas one year ago (haven't taken it out of auto mode) and learning how to use Photoshop Elements (just got this year for Christmas).
It also includes implementing Stacy Julian's Library of Memories photo storage system, organizing 7 years of physical and digital prints, and participaing in Week in the Life and December Daily.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My word is moment.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
My brain and heart got together last week and decided that my word this year will be CREATE. I'm still processing what that means for me, but even though I don't know how it will unfold in my life, I do know that, every time I think the word CREATE, I get excited.
That seems like affirmation enough for me. =)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
positive
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.