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, 20122013 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 thoughts

  1. gdtch4 says…
    01/01/2015
    Reply 0 Replies
  2. tammyk283 says…
    01/01/2015

    Grace

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  3. lizmoore01 says…
    01/01/2015

    Committed.

    This is my first time to join the "One Little Word" workshop. I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do in me this year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. stampinscrapperleslie says…
    01/01/2015

    Create - It was difficult to narrow down my choices, but I am so happy to go with create for my 2015 word!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. linnealein says…
    01/01/2015

    My word for 2015 will be stretch. Stretch out of my comfort zone. Stretch my mind. Stretch myself. Be in the final stretch. Stretch my body. Stretch/flex/be resilient. Stretch out/relax.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. bigmama1 says…
    01/01/2015

    My OLW is engage. This is my first year doing the OLW workshop, so I'm looking forward to living and growing with my OLW. Happy New Year Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. marmalademeg says…
    01/01/2015

    I've been struggling to decide between stretch or reach. Both are similar but have different connotations for me. But since it's now January and I don't want to continue deliberating, I'm going with STRETCH. I want to stretch myself both metaphorically to go outside my comfort zone a bit and expand my business and my personal goals, as well as physically and literally stretch to improve my posture and health. I think stretch has a bit more flexibility than reach (pun only slightly intended, haha).

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. jenniekay says…
    01/01/2015

    I am very excited to try this! My one little word is DO. It has been whispering itself to me for a while now, through the advertisement "Just do it." I see this word working for me on so many levels. I look forward to participating and learning how to invite the word into my life this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. rbkhandco1 says…
    01/01/2015

    My OLW is JOY.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. sleepeybear says…
    01/01/2015

    My word for 2015 is time.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jayaych says…
    01/01/2015

    tree

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. snappyprincess says…
    01/01/2015

    My word is HAPPY ❤️

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. waitingforbanjo says…
    01/02/2015

    I am so looking forward to this project! My word is 'nourish' - http://www.waitingforbanjo.com/2015/01/nourish.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. TristaHertz says…
    01/02/2015

    I've chosen the word "time"--both to challenge myself to use my time more wisely and also to find some peace with how fast time is passing by.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. oxygenmomma says…
    01/02/2015

    I've chosen BUILD for 2015.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Kelleyf says…
    01/02/2015

    Presence

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. scrapinthyme says…
    01/02/2015

    My word this year is Path because Life is just a PATH if you follow your heart it will lead you in the right direction. <3

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. majkenmarie says…
    01/02/2015

    This is my first time participating in the workshop. After deliberation, I've chosen "Cultivate" as my One Little Word. I want to take the time to create focus in my life, family, friends, art, and work to grow and develop them into something more than they already are. Looking forward to participating!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. justicejennifer says…
    01/02/2015

    My Word for 2015 is NOURISH. This isn't exactly what I had originally envisioned but this word fell into my lap as I realized I needed a year of rest and recuperation after my year of VIGOR.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. murphy_ellie says…
    01/02/2015

    This is my first time participating in one little word and the workshop and man am I excited! I've rested on BREATHE. As I want to remember to be still, take a moment and trust that I don't always know what's coming or what is best for me-but God does.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. sandiLa says…
    01/02/2015

    My word is FEARLESS. This is my 9th year, I've been with you since the beginning.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. onegoodday4 says…
    01/02/2015

    My word is Purpose.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. lindsayteague says…
    01/02/2015

    My word is VALOR.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Wiggledance0 says…
    01/02/2015

    Serenity...because it holds calm and peace and tranquil within it.
    It will allow me to STOP trying to control things so they are just right for everyone, allow me to let things be as they are...not trying to take in all the stress, pain, and suffering of those around me. I was initially bashful about this word and any "stigma" attached to it. I let go of that fear and when I did play and story popped into my head as I was thinking of ways to support myself with this word. It felt exciting and like a huge relief when I heard myself say play. Definitely a way to lead me to serenity!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. JJEly says…
    01/02/2015

    My word for 2015 is Victory. I had no idea what my word should be and quite honestly I figured I would redo last years word seeing how I did not feel like I lived that out like I wanted to. But as I thought of that , I felt defeated. After rereading my prayer journal entry that I wrote yesterday. I saw my word in all that I wrote... VICTORY!! I feel empowered and so excited!

    Reply 0 Replies

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