One Little Word® 2015
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.
Perseverance is my 2015 One Little Word. I've had this feeling for the last few weeks that I needed to find a word that describe my one little word for the last 4 years (determination, change, focus and balance - in the order since 2011). The last 15 months has been tramuatic for my family. My husband lost both of his parents within 2 months of each other from a horrific motorcycle accident (9/15/13) caused by a drunk driver who was also high at the time of the accident. 2014 was Balance and I'm still working on that as we are caretaker for my husband's 90 years old grandmother. I chose perservance because I'm determined to keep my family together and get my family through this, am expecting more changes in 2015, focusing on myself so I don't lose myself in the process and balancing everything.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
REVEAL.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
STRONG is my word.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My one little word for 2015 is CHANGE. To me as it states in my thesaurus 'the process or result of making or becoming different". I need to make a lot of changes in my life. Cant wait to 'change' in 2015. Looking forward to the process. Thanks Ali!!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
SAVOR
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I wasn't really sure if I would try this again this year because I never seem to get it done, but I was looking at the words, and it really hit home for me that my word this year should be listen. I randomly lost my hearing in my left ear this September, and although most of it came back, my ear rings a bit and I have some missing frequencies. I find that I am now afraid to listen because things sound different. I am afraid that my sense of peace is gone because of my tinnitus. It has been a hard couple of months and I want to work through this over the next year. There are also a lot of less literal meanings of listen, that I think will fit into finding my way this year with myself and my family.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My one little word for 2015 is FOCUS. I was initially thinking of "engage", but when I searched for quotes etc all that came up was wedding related info! I want to focus on the moment, my kids, concentrate, but I like the photography reference too.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
NOURISH- It is time to nourish my body, mind and soul...as well as nourish the beautiful relationships in my life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is "strength". On dec 17 my brother was in a snowmobile accident. He is now paralyzed. Just two weeks ago our lives have changed, especially his. He IS strong and even though he has a long journey ahead of him we WILL get through this as a family. I am using strength to be positive around and for him, strength for my parents and strength to grow and rise above this obstacle and prove we can make it through together. I came across this and it really helped me focus on this word, I couldn't agree with this more - " some people feel to be strong is to never feel pain. In reality, the strongest people are the ones who feel it, understand it and accept it." This is what I'll be doing this year. Strength.
Sending good wishes to your brother, you and the whole family for strength, healing and hope.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My one little word this year is ALIVE. I don't just want to live in 2015 I want to be ALIVE.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
this is my first time participating in OLW. The word that has been nagging at the back of my brain for the past few weeks has been STRONG. It is a word I have used in raising my daughter. I want to be stronger in 2015 than in 2014.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I believe that my word for 2015 will be "begin", just begin. "Begin" is to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action; commence; start. No humming and hawing, no second guessing, no arriving at conclusions before the first step is taken, just begin. There are so many, many areas of my life where I just need to "begin". Let's see where it takes me.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My OLW for 2015 is "charity". Love what you wrote about "give". A lot of it resonates with me and what my focus will be as well. Different word, similar concept.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
FREE - I need to loosen up a little this year. Stray from routine, bend the rules, and free myself from rigidity, and especially need to free myself from guilt.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
my word is "enough"
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2015 is "BELIEVE" as in "I BELIEVE" I can do ...
2015 is my year to believe that I can do anything as long as I believe.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2015 is JOY. I had another word picked out, and then JOY picked me! 2015 will be a year full of challenges, excitement and also some heartbreaks I can see on the horizon. I hope that in all that the new year has to bring, I will face each situation with JOY... I want to cultivate the character of JOY in my life, not just the emotion.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2015 is LOVE...to love more, focus on those I love, to love myself!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
JOY -- as I've been thinking of 2014, I feel like I lost my joy. This year, I'm taking it back! To find joy in the little things, in the big things, in the everyday. To bring joy to people. To have joy in who God created me to be. I want joy to seep into every part of who I am.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is "MAGIC." Magic is something you make and I am ready to cook up some magical miracles.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My OLW for 2015 is quite literally a little word: it is "ME." I am a working mom who needs to make self-care a real priority....fast! I take great care of my husband, child, and our household, yet find myself going to work with a wet head, no makeup, and having eaten no breakfast. Everyone else (including the dog) gets groomed regularly, and I can't tell you the last time I got a haircut. I am at the heaviest (non-pregnant) weight of my life, and I am starting to realize some health issues arising as a result of the weight. I am a painter and I haven't picked up a paintbrush in over a year. The list goes on. It is time to dedicate some real attention to ME and develop self-care routines so that I can present my best self, before I lose myself. (Hoping Ali repeats the self-care prompt!) Looking forward to 2015!
9 hours later...
I slept on it, and a word came to me in a loud, strong whisper: HEAL. A lot of the "letting myself go" that I alluded to above has to do with the fact that I am still grieving the loss of my father, who died a little over a year ago. So, I think I'm changing my word to HEAL, with ME as my secondary/secret word.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I've thought about doing "one little word" for many years, and this year I've finally committed. My word is CARE. Care for my family, care for my house, care for others by remembering birthdays, etc, be careful about how I speak and how I live... lately I feel like I live a little carelessly and I want to shape myself up. I'm excited for this challenge this year.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is 'present'. After beating cancer in 2013 and then dealing with what chemo did to my body in 2014 I am tired of thinking of the past and worrying about my future. I just want to spend this year being 'present' in every moment/day and being thankful for what I have right now.
Beautiful thoughts...wishing you a wonderful year.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My OLW for 2015 is focus. I feel it's an extension of my word for this year, mindful, and I want to explore it more.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
STRIVE is my word.
Sign in or sign up to comment.