One Little Word® 2014

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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.


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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.

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938 thoughts

  1. Jocelyn Thompson says…
    12/30/2013

    My OLW is ....... breathe. I kept trying to think of other words but kept coming back to BREATHE. I think this word chose me this year and I am anxious to see where it takes me.

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  2. Linda says…
    12/30/2013

    ACT

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  3. Julie says…
    12/30/2013

    My OLW for this year is CREATE.
    Create a strong body, create memories, create a happy mind....

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  4. Kelley says…
    12/30/2013

    Discipline...in all areas of my life. From hitting the snooze button to many times every morning to making sure I'm being a good mom and providing appropriate discipline and guidance to my kiddo...food...spending...tone in which I speak my words...scrapbooking...the list goes on and on...

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  5. samantha jane says…
    12/30/2013

    Enjoy practically shouted at me this year! I have a lot of change headed my way, and I need to enjoy it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Linda says…
    12/30/2013

    My word is DO.

    As in…just Do it.

    Lots and lots I want to do this year. Lots to get done. And I'm looking forward to all of it. The work stuff and the fun stuff. Just doing it all.

    …and I'm sure by December my word will be DONE! (or exhausted) :)

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  7. Betsy says…
    12/30/2013

    enough

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Nina Chow says…
    12/30/2013

    Look forward to the class. This is my first year. My word is EMBRACE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. karen nuce says…
    12/30/2013

    this is my third year participating and my word is "presence". I am constantly thinking about something else, making lists in my head and not really being where I am at the time. I guess this includes listening and being patient & intentional and probably many other things I haven't considered yet but my goal is to be present and in the moment throughout 2014!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Janet says…
    12/30/2013

    I've been choosing OLW since 2011. This year my word is Less. I agree with Elise that your words stay with you. Each year, I think of my words from previous years and they all still have an effect on me. Thanks Ali for bringing this to us.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. karin c says…
    12/30/2013

    Yes. My word is cultivate.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Sara says…
    12/30/2013

    Abundant (living)

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Shauna Le Blanc says…
    12/30/2013

    Change... I have had quite a bit lately with a lot more to come in 2014!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Ellen says…
    12/30/2013

    I have wanted to do OLW for several years now! This year, I received the workshop as a Christmas gift. Best. Gift. Ever!!

    My word came to me...it is SHINE. To let my light shine, to polish and polish so my best self may SHINE. To follow the SHINE of the stars that hold my dreams...enjoy the warmth and bright sunSHINE!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sue says…
    12/30/2013

    Positive.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Susan Robinson says…
    12/30/2013

    For 2014 my word is Brave. It will be joining my past words of change, inspire, and remember. Each year it's been an amazing thing for me to do and this year I'll be joining you in the workshop. I can't wait to begin a new year and new experience with everyone.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Marcia says…
    12/30/2013

    Hi Allie, my word is similar to yours. It's "flourish."

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. colleen attara says…
    12/30/2013

    I am excited to be a part of this course.

    My word for 2014 is trust. I have never need to more.

    xo-Colleen

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Brenda Lubrant says…
    12/30/2013

    compasion

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Christine says…
    12/30/2013

    Elevate. I've been feeling like my life is blessed but stagnant. Like my faith has been on autopilot. Like my marriage is good but with a little effort could be great. Like I have tons of ideas but no action. Like I lost the first 75 so what's keeping me from losing the next 75#. I believe God has big plans for us if we just get out of his way. (Way bigger than more money and stuff). So, I'm going to elevate this year to a life greater than I can imagine.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Lara says…
    12/30/2013

    I am taking the OLW class this year, and I really think I am going to choose the word open, which I was leaning away from because it was Ali's word last year. I didn't take the class last year and I haven't seen her album but... I have looked for another word and haven't come up with anything. I may look around a little more, but I have to decide soon.

    We were forced to move from a place I loved to a not so awesome place because of my husband's job, and I really need to find a way to be more accepting of what my life holds now instead of what I feel that it should hold. I am not really interested in words like accept because that feels like giving up and open seems more like watching and waiting and trying to find something good in a situation that I am not in love with.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Belinda says…
    12/30/2013

    Hi, this is my first year of participating in OLW! After trying a few words on for size (namely Gumption and Completion), I've settled on 'Consistency'. To me, this means consistency in everything I do. I'm excited to bring more consistency into my life in 2014 :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Julie says…
    12/30/2013

    My word is JOY. It found me. I kept writing it over and over again. After my husband passed away I just felt sad. Now I am ready to find the joy that exists all around me. I can hardly wait to consciously seek and recognize what is good, happy, and what brings me joy in this very precious life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Georgia says…
    12/30/2013

    Waiting......it found me and I knew immediately it was right.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Mel says…
    12/30/2013

    My word is "relax." Last year was such a crazy, busy year - I moved and bought a house! This year I just want to "relax." I have to keep reminding myself to slow down and just enjoy this time.

    I have been doing OWL since 2007! I love this concept!

    Reply 0 Replies

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