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.
Nurture... nurture myself, nurture my boy's last year at home, nurture good friendships, nurture love, nurture health and nurture happiness.
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I was all set to go with ABUNDANCE this year, Instead of focusing on what I lack and negative things and who I am not, I wanted to look at things from a perspective of being positive and joyous, a place of having enough, and being enough and that there is an ABUNDANCE of joy and blessing and positivity to go around. I even made a little mini for it but then I took a bit more time to pray and ponder on my word and it turns out my word for 2015 is PRAY. If it's anything like last years word its gonna be life changing.
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It took a little time for my word to find me. Then, without any effort it shouted out to me...Breakthrough. I have been holding back from becoming everything insider and finishing old projects. So this will be my breakthrough year. I like the word because it has break in it which opens up so many possibilities as well. Looking forward to this journey with all of you.
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Rejuvenate
(although I'm resisting this with my brain, my heart is embracing this word. After completing a doctoral program in 2014 and becoming Dr. Elizabeth Wallace, a very stressful work situation of 9 years coming to a conclusion resulting in my boss being dismissed, I know it is time for me to rejuvenate in mind, body, and spirit. My Type A nature though still says "go, go, go, accomplish more, more, more" so this will be a good challenge for me!)
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My word for this year is "light." To me, light represents a feeling of warmth, contentment, happiness and that is where I want to see myself more this year. I've found that I'm really good at the Getting Things Done part of life - the Have Tos and the To Dos, but for myself, my kids, my family I think all will benefit from me lightening up and taking more time for the laughter, the smiles, the goofiness as well as the many other ways I can use the word light (ie: lighter weight - that not quite acheived goal most people have at this time of year).
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Authentic
I have lost who I truly am over a number of years ,so in 2015 ,with the focus of this process, I hope to find myself again. The word "authentic" has deep meaning ,insofar as being true to myself & others, how I treat myself, do what I love, treat & respect myself & others, give of myself to others, and all that that entails. It is a life journey and I am getting close to the end at 70 yrs. but there is still time left to be my "authentic self" once again. All the best to everyone on their journeys.
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My word for 2015 is Explore. There is so much I want to see and do this year - both traditionally adventuresome and reflective/self-improvement focused. Can't wait to explore all options!
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Play - This year I want to have more fun. A full-time working mom of a three-year old, I find myself caving in to all of the responsibility and not having much fun. Not this year! I'm going to play more with my daughter and my husband, and find activities that I enjoy by myself. I'm so excited to see where this word takes me. It's already made an impact on some choices I've made during winter break.
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Accept and Improve. I seem to have two words speaking to me. I want to learn to Accept those things I have been trying to understand and change my entire life and I want to Improve myself by continuing the exercise and healthier eating that really kicked in last year as well as other areas of my life. I have chosen a word every year since 2007 but haven't actively documented in several years. Wanted to really get it down this year!
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After declaring "adventure" our word for last year, I'm ready for something a bit calmer after a year of new house/new baby :) 2015's word is "nurture"...posted about it here: http://www.lifeinyellow.com/2015/01/one-little-word-for-2015/
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my olw for 2015 is trust
trust myself
trust the process
trust God's timinig
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Breathe
It's going to be a year full of new challenges for me both professionally and personally and I seriously need the reminder. Breathe and soften. Breathe and open. Breathe and let go. Breathe and be brave!
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My word for the year is WILL. 2014 was a struggle for our little family.
My youngest daughter had 7 surgeries and my husband had 3. Our house got hit by lightening and we have a ton of hospital bills. BUT, we WILL survive. This WILL get better, I WILL pay off our bills and we WILL get our daughters levels stable. At first I thought my word would be BELIEVE, but I needed a stronger, more aggressive,more positive word. WILL means more than believe ( to me). WILL power,it just works for me.
Good luck Cindy, you sound like a very strong person!
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My word for 2015 is IMPORTANT.
I want to really focus on what is important in life. Health, family, love.
I want my actions to be in line with those things I hold most important.
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TODAY....as in what can I do today. What do I love today. What do we need today. How can I make the most of today. What is important for today. Today is a gift. I want to focus on that.
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COURAGE
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Freedom
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JOY
posted about it here: http://www.heathergreenwooddesigns.com/2015/01/one-little-word-2015-joy.html
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My OLW for 2015 is: WHOLEHEARTED.
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Attain. I love my word and I can't wait to dive into the class. This will be my first year participating. You can read a little bit about my word here: http://beckiadams.blogspot.com/2015/01/one-little-word-2015.html
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Accomplish.
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My word for this year is "Reflect". It works in so many ways: the action of being reflective/thoughtful (I want to establish an attitude of gratitude and cut back on the negativity), paying attention to my reflection in the world around me (more specifically, I've noticed my kids behaviour mirroring my own at times...a real eye opener and something that needs more attention), I want to work on my environment (our home) to help it reflect peace and calm and love and kindness... I can't wait to see what kind of journey "reflect" will take me on :)
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FIT--encompassing both physical fitness, but also thinking of FIT much more broadly as a guiding word: Does this fit for our family?; Does this fit in my schedule?; Is this a fit with my values and beliefs?, etc.
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Thrive. After a rough couple of years, I need to do more than just survive... I need to thrive.
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My one little word is "self." I had a different word picked out, and late last night after we rang in the new year, this one just sort of showed up. And I decided to jump right in with it. I blogged about it this morning here: http://okenjoyblog.com/2015/01/01/one-little-word-for-2015-self/.
Thanks for this project, Ali, and I'm so excited to join the workshop for the first time this year.
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