December 29, 2014

One Little Word® 2015

One Little Word®

My One Little Word® for 2015 is give.

The process of choosing a word, or letting it choose me as is often the case, is always interesting. For me it often starts around October - words begin popping up here and there via reading or conversations or overhearing something on the radio. I tend to do a lot of listening and thinking and trying each one on for a minute or two or a couple days or longer.

I know there is no perfect word, there's only choices and paths and possibilities.

This year the word give showed up in October if I remember correctly. It came in more like a whisper - some years my words have been so loud as if they were making it so they couldn't be ignored.

Give began with the idea of giving to others and the question of what is it that I currently give. I'm pretty sure it was sparked by my trip to Washington DC to attend the ONE Campaign's AYA Girls And Women's Summit. There was a shift in my thoughts and a vivid reminder that it's not just about me and my own stuff - it was such a powerful opportunity to reflect on my place in the larger world and become educated on some of the issues facing girls and women in Africa.

Over the last few months since it first made itself known, my thoughts about the word give and what I want to focus on in 2015 has evolved which is something I always welcome as I choose a new word. Give, for me, is so much more than the process of "handing something over."

Give love. Give kindness. Give time. Give patience. Give to others. Give to myself.

On a certain level, the word give for me is rooted in connection and openness and awareness and willingness.What do the people around me need? How can I connect with them through the process of giving of myself? Over the last year I've lost some of myself in work and the transitions and I want more than anything to reconnect to the things/people/places I most value.

Another level/definition of the word give is the idea of bending and being flexible. It's a nod to living in the gray areas and working on lessening my constant grip on the black and whiteness of things. My ability to be black and white is at the same time very much a strength in some areas and a weakness in others. Discerning the difference between when to give and when to hold firm is something I'd like to explore this year.

The third level of give for me is in giving to myself. Giving time to myself. Giving patience to myself. Giving kindness to myself. Giving love to myself. I like the combination of the connection with others and the connection with myself. It's an opportunity to fine tune and get clear and make choices that align with what I care about most.

I'm also interested in exploring give up, give away, and give in - all three of which I see as positive steps/ideas vs. the negative way they could be taken.

I'm looking forward to experiencing a new journey with a new word in 2015.

PS | That awesome little whole heart pocket talisman is from my dear friend Liz Lameroux's shop Soul Mantras. Check out all her lovely offerings here.

PSS | Listen to Elise Cripe and I chat about One Little Word® on her latest podcast episode here.

SHARE YOUR WORD THE COMMENTS

I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2015. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. Next week I’ll combine all the words into a single post – it's become tradition and 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, 2013 and 2014.

JOIN ME

To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one creative prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. Registration is $5 off until December 31.

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Comments

523 comments

ShirshaG

Dec 30, 2014 6:55am

I think I am gonna go with "Experience". Create a better life EXPERIENCE. Use and enhance my work EXPERIENCE.EXPERIENCE the world. EXPERIENCE the arts. I want to live a richer and more fulfilling life, and I think "experience" is an appropriate word to achieve that.

BeatrizPB

Dec 30, 2014 8:11am

MAKE, this is my word for 2015.

Inkfanatic

Dec 30, 2014 8:33am

Choose

joeynumber41

Dec 30, 2014 8:48am

WHOLE

ScrappinMyHeartOut

Dec 31, 2014 9:41am

This was my word for 2014 and I loved it.

Nichill

Dec 30, 2014 9:46am

Fly...
Everywhere I turned I was seeing butterflies...a beautiful christmas gift. from my husband, websites I read and then my daughter had a butterfly land on her hand and stay there for such an age. I captured it on film, so beautiful. I researched the symbolism behind the butterfly, already understanding the transformational symbolism....I toyed with the word grace, wonder... And then I thought about what it would take for me to 'fly' this year, for those around me to fly...to transform with grace and elegance. I am inspired and excited to embark on this journey.

corinne

Dec 30, 2014 10:15am

BALANCE
it´s my word for 2015

boopsnro

Dec 30, 2014 10:37am

I loved reading your post Ali. Even though I have never participated in this workshop, I have always chosen a word right along with everyone else at the start of the year and tried to keep up with it throughout. I chose the word GIVE this year too! I feel like I don't give enough time to my kids, or myself, or around the house.. the things that matter. I am hoping this will make me a better mom, wife, caregiver, and a better person overall! Thank you!

KathyDavis

Dec 30, 2014 11:03am

My word this year is CELEBRATE. My husband and I are retired and we have 4 grandchildren... In many ways it is just the two of us, again - with these new families all around us. We want to celebrate the family, celebrate the changes, and celebrate our everyday lives together!

Sharonkc

Dec 30, 2014 11:12am

My word is REST. I've been having a lot of anxiety and stress lately, and want this word to permeate all I do. I also like that this word means "a place that provides shelter". I want to be that for my family, my daughter especially. Looking forward to OLW!!

mrsb

Dec 30, 2014 12:31pm

Improve

tccba

Dec 30, 2014 12:33pm

Simplify. I think if I simplify my surroundings and the process in everything I do, I will be less stressed, more able to focus on what is important, get things done as they should be.

fannyathome

Dec 30, 2014 12:56pm

Rhythm is my OLW for 2015.
I want to live in Rhythm (as opposed to balance and/or stressed). I want to find a Rhythm for Homeschooling, a rhythm for sabbath keeping, a rhythm for "me time", a rhythm for engaging and disengaging with others and the world, a rhythm for family time vs. others time …
I also want to add some rhythm to my life. That doesn't mean to speed my life but to put the music on, to dance in the kitchen, to sing aloud, to play the guitar/piano more, to add more music to my daily life.

ScrappinMyHeartOut

Dec 30, 2014 7:04pm

WOW, you have an awesome word and overall approach to it!!! Wishing you a great year with your word!

fannyathome

Jan 20, 2015 9:29am

Thank you ScrappinMyHeartOut!!

terihartman

Dec 30, 2014 1:04pm

I'm super excited. This is my first time participating in OLW although I've been "following" it for a few years. My OLW for 2015 is "aim".

Beejay22

Dec 30, 2014 1:12pm

This is my first year participating and am excited by what changes it may bring. My word is "simplify".

Bertaipolete

Dec 30, 2014 1:32pm

My word is Project-50. I'll be 50 in 2015 and I'm going to celebrate,document and enjoy it with PL since 1/1/2015.
Best Regards from Catalonia.

LisaT

Dec 30, 2014 7:10pm

Happy Birthday to us! I will be joining you in celebrating 50 in 2015. May it be our best year yet :)
Regards from Canada.

laceyweeks

Dec 30, 2014 1:36pm

Hi Ali- is the content going to be different than before?

redheadmomma

Dec 30, 2014 1:40pm

My word is FAMILY. I can't wait for 2015. :)

helenhigh

Dec 30, 2014 2:03pm

I had a word in mind for many months and just recently, it didn't feel the same as it had when I had originally selected it. So, over the last week or so I've kept a list of words I thought I would use and just now in reading your blog post about the class for a second time the word push came to mind. My word is push.

This year I want to "push". Never in the physical sense, but push myself. To be better, to get answers, to try things I've wanted to do in the past, but got afraid to do. In pushing myself more, I'm hoping to have a more positive impact on my life and those that I share it with.

I've admired your "One Little Word" from a far for many years. This year I am committing to doing it.

Thank you!

PaintPaperStudio

Dec 30, 2014 3:07pm

my word is ACHIEVE.
this is my first year doing OLW and taking your class, and I'm so excited (and a little bit nervous) to see how I will make my word work for me :)

joleneol

Dec 30, 2014 3:32pm

Seek is my word for 2015.

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