One Little Word® 2015
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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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523 comments
Commit
I want to stay engaged and focused to realize both my short term and long term goals for health, finances, decluttering AND FINISHING my pile of scrapbook projects !!
Replies to KerryF
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My word for 2015 is KIND
It follows nicely from this year's word LOVE, it came to me in the last month as things started getting busy and I found myself over tired and not being kind to anyone including myself and having meltdowns.
Our family word is LISTEN
This was DS (5) immediate suggestion when I brought up about focus on a word this year - he seemed to just get the whole OLW concept and we are excited to explore it.
Replies to Onabear
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My word for 2015 is CONNECTIONS. I moved in 2014 to a place where I knew nobody, had rarely ever visited and I work at home full time by myself. It is time to connect to the people and the places here and start to plant some roots.
Replies to mdnolton2
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Listen.
Replies to KarineC
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COURAGE
to have the courage to explore new things and new people and maybe new places, too.
to not be shy {especially around men i like ;-) } and to have the courage to stand my ground.
this word became louder the last couple of days.
i feel very powerful with my word and very positive.
thank you for your inspiration Ali!
Replies to homebound
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My word for 2015 is ACCEPTANCE.......I struggle with self esteem so this word is simply a reminder to accept myself as I am....flaws and all. They are what make me well....me!! Here is to a wonderful and promising New Year!!
Replies to Littlebee81
I like this word - very good choice! I too have struggled with this in the past, and this quote really hit home for me and has helped: "It is not who we are that holds us back. It is who we think we are not." I hope it holds some power for you too! :)
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My word for 2015 is EXERCISE. In it's literal sense, I'm in dire need of exercising for health reasons. I also enjoy exercising when I am in shape - so hoping once I get the ball rolling this will be a fun thing to make happen vs a chore. I am going to explore exercise routines, new exercises, ways to fit exercise in, etc. I am going to set some exercise goals but keep it realistic. I am also going to use the word to exercise my brain with new learnings, and exercise judgment in areas of my life that I don't feel fulfilled in...who knows what else this great word will lead me to! I'm excited about it.
Replies to ScrappinMyHeartOut
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I think I have finally figured out my word for 2015 - CHOOSE - when it came to me, it just felt right. I am the type of person who can never make up my mind. I see the pros & cons to every situation and it about drives me crazy sometimes! I am in the process of really making some hard life decisions and I feel that the word CHOOSE will really help me. So many things in life are made up of choices that we've made and I am realizing that I am going to be, what I choose to become.
Replies to Eheim
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REDUCE.
Reduce my hoard of scrapping supplies. Reduce the number of tasks I do each week that can be simplified and made more efficient. Reduce the number of unfinished projects in my to do pile. Reduce my size and lose weight. Reduce my stress by focusing on what makes me happy. Reduce how much of myself I give to others who take, take, take. Reduce the guilt I have over saying no. Reduce my avoidance of the word no! Reduce my apprehension to take risks. Reduce the difficult to make room for more of the happy!
So far, so good - I reduced our spending and debt over the past few months and we are starting 2015 debt-free! I also took Friday of this week off, so that I can focus on finishing up some projects and having some alone time. This year is going to be amazing for us all - I can feel it! :D
Replies to barefootscrapbooker
This is such a great word. And congratulations on being debt-free!
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LIGHT
My goals for 2015 are to feel lighter, lighten up, give light, see the light.
Replies to Dewey Scrapper
I also chose light in all of its senses :)
- eat lightly, lighten up, tread lightly, be the light, chase the light, shed light, etc
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I wanted to pick believe again and I now think I need to throw it away and pick a new word for a new begining. I take care of everyone and everything but not ME so was thinking of that but sounds selfish. Maybe "Do" for Do it?? I have a few days hopefully something will pop up. Thanks Grace xoox
Replies to Gracemypal
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My OLW for 2015 is .... Emerge. http://wp.me/p305nQ-2F
Replies to justhayleys
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My word for 2014 was grow - I didn't get much of a chance to work with it and almost feel like it was a cheat as I became a mum in 2014 so the first half of the year was occupies with physically growing my son and the 2nd half with growing into my role as a mother, no contemplation required.
My word for 2015 is 'Reach' - reaching my goals, reaching for a better me, reaching for completion; just reaching for those things I neglected this year or was too busy and preoccupied to pay attention to.
Replies to beezzzkneez
You grew SO much, don't sell yourself short. You were gorwing so fast you might not have time to realize it. It's a huge transition to become a Mom. One that requires A LOT of growing within your self. And your son grew along. What fun to watch a little one grow that first year! I think GROW was a very meaningful "word" for you in 2014. Congrats!
P.J.
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FEARLESS
My hope is to fear less. I want to share myself without the fear. I want to fear less about all the what ifs that could go wrong and look at what could go right. And there's so much more! I'm excited to see how fearless develops this upcoming year.
Replies to sarafree
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My word for this year is Healthy, not only physical, but in mind, soul, relationships, and spirit. So that is what I am going to be focused on for 2015. Keeping aspects of my life HEALTHY.
Replies to FYoung
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FREE this has been on my mind for some weeks now and I am looking forward to where this will take me in 2015
Replies to tracey0502
Good choice!
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Self-discipline
"It involves sacrificing the pleasure and thrill of the moment for what matters most in life." (by Peter Clemens)
I have 3 very specific goals for 2015, and I will need a lot of self-discipline to achieve them!
Replies to JaqueBampi
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MOVE is my word for 2015. I feel like this word encompasses everything I want 2015 to be about. Not only physically moving, but also moving my life forward and not staying in the rut I've created. Moving myself out of fear to try new things.
Replies to NCampbell
Awesome word!
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FULFILLMENT...
happy . contented feeling.
the act of finishing . completed
feeling fulfillment by completion of a goal . dream or project... FULFILLMENT. (fingers crossed)
thanks again ali for the inspiration behind OLW.
here's to 2015!
Replies to pmmessner
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My word for 2015 is DO. I often stop myself from doing or starting things because I'm nervous, or scared, or lazy. I decided in 2015 I'm going to try and DO more often. Say YES more often. To try and not be so structured.
Replies to Emmaj
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