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. Song says…
    01/02/2015

    I've chosen DISCIPLINE I was going for Self Discipline but I felt it needed to be stronger. As my son has jut been diagnosed with Autism I feel we needed more Discipline in our home i.e. the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour. I hope to use this word with love not harshness which is the conclusion most link with it.

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  2. Armalite says…
    01/02/2015

    My word for 2015 is ACCEPTANCE, and I've blogged about it here (in French):
    http://leroseetlenoir.blogspot.be/2014/12/un-mot-pour-2015.html

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  3. alliescraps says…
    01/02/2015

    My word for this year is CONNECT. For many reasons I need to connect with myself, my family, friends, and re-connect with being creative. I feel as though this year's word rounds out the list from the past few years (Breathe - 2011, Let Go - 2012, Change - 2013, and Choose - 2014).

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  4. corriegee says…
    01/02/2015

    My word for 2015 is Listen. It popped into my head just before Christmas, and I just knew it was meant to be my OLW for the upcoming year.

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  5. TheresaSchmidt says…
    01/02/2015

    My word is Radiant. It chose me & I am excited to reflect on it & expand relationship with it.

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  6. Joelle71 says…
    01/02/2015

    My word is clear. Being clear about where I'm going in this year and clear as in clearing away some crap, bad habits, etc.

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  7. gretasutherland says…
    01/02/2015

    One Little Word® is about pinpointing one guiding principle and then walking with that word throughout the year. | There are a number of things I enjoy about this process each year. I let the word kind of 'happen to me', I've learned not to rush it or overthink it and invariably, it grabs my hand and says "Follow me." I also enjoy the conversations surrounding it. Scott and I had a conversation about my #olw for 2015: 'try'. He was direct and honest with me about it - which I always appreciate, knowing the heart behind his words. "Sometimes you just need to DO", he suggested. I explained my reasoning for 'try' over something like 'do' or 'go'. | I, generally speaking, am not too afraid of doing new things or going new places. I have learned to embrace the idea of doing something until it no longer makes sense and then being okay with stopping (& not beating myself up about it when I do.) But by the time I DO or GO, I've already done a great deal of mind work to determine the pros and cons and worst-case-scenarios. I've made lists, I've weighed options and I've usually determined the path of least resistance. By the time I actually start, I've already spent a great deal of time getting used to the new project/move/idea/etc. | What I hope to learn in 2015 is to be comfortable with the proverbial shrugging of my shoulders, a scrunched up look on my face and a simple phrase: "Why not?! Let's try it." And then taking the almost immediate step in that direction. I find myself OFTEN saying in my head, "I wish I knew how to..." Or "I'd like to try that someday..." Or all-too-often, "Eh. I'm getting too old to start something like that." (Gulp. Embarrassed to admit that last phrase.) To me, 'try' embraces the possible failure, success, disinterest, growth, new habit that is involved in just going for something without much forethought. If it works it works. If it doesn't, then that's ok too. It sounds like a parsing of words, but for me, 'try' is much more challenging than 'do'. So here's to shrugging my shoulders in a no-big-deal kind of way and giving IT (whatever it is that comes along) a simple and unfettered try...

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  8. CyndiToo says…
    01/02/2015

    Some words come and go without provoking much thought or leaving behind a message. I haven't always bonded with my OLW. This will be my third year with FOCUS. This word has encompassed much more than the obvious. In the beginning I wished for something simple...a task...I wished to organize my space to let in more creativity. And I needed to FOCUS to make that happen. Over the previous two years this word has unfolded other unexpected facets. Within the word itself I have derived strength, clarity, purpose, peace and in turn has become a central component to whom I am and my life. It was a good word for me in that I valued its meaning and was committed to allowing the word to enter into my life. I was ready to FOCUS. It gave back to me much more than expected. So with this discovery I have decided to add a second word. SHARE. More definitively....to share more of myself from within and not from obligation.

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  9. Tammy_Vallem says…
    01/02/2015

    My one little word for 2015 is CREATE! The more I think about this one little word the more meaning it has for me. This is the first time I have participated in this workshop. I am very excited!

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  10. Danyel says…
    01/02/2015

    My one little word for 2015 is DARE! I am excited to see where this journey takes me as I incorporate my word into my daily life.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Jodiemareelee_hotmail_com says…
      01/03/2015

      LOVE your word! How EXCITING!!!

  11. Jane_Currie says…
    01/02/2015

    I'm excited to be part of the class. Thanks for making it available, Ali. My word is two words--I hope that's okay. I've chosen "peace within" and the second word is key to me. I can't control so many things, but I can control what's within and I want lots more of that to be peaceful in the year ahead.

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  12. Waluscha says…
    01/02/2015

    My word for 2015 is nonchalant.

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  13. cmcfeely says…
    01/02/2015

    I've been thinking about a number of words .... and then bingo .... in the shower last night something came to mind "lighten up". Perfect for me in so many ways!! So.... two words for 2015: lighten up!!

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  14. tema says…
    01/02/2015

    I have had a word for the past several years. My word this year is honor. I want to honor the things that matter with my life, including my own gifts and needs.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Lrstampit says…
    01/03/2015

    My word for 2015 is FLOW, which "flowed" out of my OLW experience from 2014 in which my word was BRAVE.
    This is the coolest how this works when you work it!

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  16. Jodiemareelee_hotmail_com says…
    01/03/2015

    I LOVE this project, I am going to sign up now, yipee.

    It's amazing, it DOES work!! Thank you Ali !!!

    My word is BLOSSOM. I have spelt the word out with letters on my hall cabinet, in my study and on my fridge. It has already brought me laughs and a connection with my husband and every friend of his who has walked into the kitchen and stealthily removed the "L". It's difficult to say (type) this out loud, but it is my time to blossom (I'm 41). I have worked so hard and so seriously for so long, on all my flaws and at all my relationships, and at my work, and now finally, I feel that the time for blossoming has told me it's here. Love reading everyone's words-so exciting!

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  17. Marjorie says…
    01/03/2015

    I'm choosing ANEW for my One Little Word in 2015. A new home in a new city - lots of new going on for me. The definition in Wordbook said, "Starting life anew in a fresh place." I like the idea of 'again but in a different way.'

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  18. Leonie1234 says…
    01/03/2015

    I have really struggled with my choice of word because it didn't seem to make sense in totality for me. It didn't seem to cover a range of aspects of life. The dictionary definition didn't seem to be exactly what i was looking for but i couldn't let go of it. I signed up for the OLW class - and I read the January input and looked at other words but this word wouldn't go away and as I follow the leads that Ali provides I realise the depth for me in my life at this moment with this word is very strong.
    My one little word for 2015 is "CLEANSE".

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  19. AnnetteH says…
    01/03/2015

    Love your word Ali. Such a fitting next step after Thrive. Excited you are already giving to yourself too. Giving yourself the gift of being able to relax and recharge is a wonderful way to start the year. My word is Light. I was a little apprehensive about it but it keeps coming back to me. Lightening my loads, lighten up, lighter physically and emotionally. Follow the light. Let my heart be light. I picked up one of your prints and am going to frame it as a reminder for my word this year. I'm also looking forward to doing the prompts this year. Last year I just lived with my word more than anything and this year I want to do more with it. Thank you for your continued inspiration.

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  20. marn7 says…
    01/03/2015

    I found you at the end of 2008. Chose Intentional for my word for 2009. In 2010 I chose Focus. I haven't posted since however, have not stopped choosing words for my year, and took you lead in making my word tangible and visible in reminders of art and jewelry. This year I have chose the word REST. I wrote a blog post about it http://thelittlehilllife.blogspot.ca/2015/01/this-little-word-of-mine.html

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  21. Daishak says…
    01/03/2015

    My word is Do!

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  22. retromom says…
    01/03/2015

    My word is CHOOSE. I want to pause before reacting to things and choose the more positive response. I want to choose happiness instead of depression. I want to choose a money making venture for myself this year. I want to choose good books to read and set aside time to read them. I want to choose to eat better and move more. I've already been challenged by my word. It will happily join my previous words that I still work on: quiet, decluttering, and calm.

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  23. retromom says…
    01/03/2015

    I forgot to add that I also want to choose to finally do something with all my photos stored in boxes :)

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  24. mandybeth01 says…
    01/03/2015

    Give is such a great word, and I love your talisman from Liz. She is one of my favorites. :) My word for 2015 is "leap." Sharing more about it on my blog: http://www.mandyford.co/

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. millerkimberlyann says…
    01/03/2015

    I've chosen FORWARD for 2015. This will be my 5th year with OLW.

    Reply 0 Replies

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