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. Mochapoet says…
    12/29/2014

    OPEN is my OLW for 2015. I am looking forward to all that this word will show me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. themorningdew1 says…
    12/29/2014

    believe....
    It has been following me for a few months. I want to start with "believe in me" and take it from there. It promises to be an insightful journey.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. nandinib says…
    12/29/2014

    Achieve

    Last year my OLW was Clarity. And I needed that. I needed to see with a clear mind and heart in order to find my path again. This year I will focus on Achieving a stronger footing on my path. Be that through gainful employment, less clutter, more joy, less attachment etc. I will Achieve my way to peace and happiness.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. vicki_dalton says…
    12/29/2014

    RELEASE

    As in Let it Go. I was watching Joel Osteen yesterday and this was his sermon and it just really spoke to me. So this year I am going to focus on RELEASING all the Negativity in my life and move Forward in a Positive way! :)

    ps. Love what you said about Giving to Yourself!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. ElisabethC says…
    12/29/2014

    TRUST is my word....through certain situations this word has been thrown in my face:) It was after having a conversation with my husband about how concerned I was that things wouldn't work out, how I thought someone's feelings would be hurt and after everything... it all worked out. If I had just trusted in God, in the character of a person, in the way we've raised our kids....so many times this word has come back to me. Knowing that we aren't in control of everything is releasing in a way....it's learning to trust. SO my OLW for 2015 has found me!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. ChrissyZ_ says…
    12/29/2014

    Wonderful choice, Ali!
    This is my 4th year in joining you with my OLW. 2015 will be all about progress and growth and so my new OLW is "thrive".
    Thank you for constantly inspiring!
    Chrissy xxx

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. donnac816 says…
    12/29/2014

    Magic, or Mindful are the words this year's direction is leading me so far! My previous words have been strive, focus, prioritize, I wanted something more positive this year that would maybe take the pressure off my constant procrastinating and my need to eliminate my bad habits :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. needtime2scrap says…
    12/29/2014

    It took a while to figure out my word for this year. But I've decided on embrace. I'm going to embrace the process of getting healthier, embrace my imperfections, embrace the amazing parts of me, embrace all my family relationships, embrace what I can change and what I can't.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. mimizuku says…
    12/29/2014

    FLOURISH

    It means a lot for me and my inner soul. Blogged about it yesterday. :)
    http://mimizukudesign.blogspot.de/2014/12/ein-kleines-wort-fur-ein-ganzes-jahr.html

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. p7eggyc says…
      12/29/2014

      This was my all time favorite OLW I selected. I had it in 2012 and it was by far my most successful OLW experience! Hope it is great for you too!

    2. mimizuku says…
      12/29/2014

      Thank you!! :)

  10. Kelseyjameson says…
    12/29/2014

    WORTH

    I had actually been thinking about several other words when this one came to me in a video about OLW. The past year and a half have been very unexpected and trying. I've been struggling to find the worth in a lot of that time. So I'm looking forward to actively cultivating worth in my life over the next year.

    There are so many things I plan to do with this word. So many different meanings it has for me. It's one more reason to happily anticipate a new year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. snhackett328 says…
    12/29/2014

    Do.

    In 2014 my word was "go" and it impacted so many areas of my life. This year I'm all about this quote:

    "Do. Or do not. There is no try."

    I hope it helps me shake things up a bit in 2015. I'm ready for it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Missscrap says…
    12/29/2014

    PLEASURE.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/29/2014

      What a great word! Hope to see what you create in the gallery and on the Facebook page!

  13. darla says…
    12/29/2014

    JOY is what I want more of in my life this year. Focusing on the little things that bring us joy.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. swimmom1972 says…
    12/29/2014

    Swimmom1972

    Improve

    Improve is my word, I'm excited to do this class for the first time, it was on my wish list for Christmas. My hopes for this word is to improve me, my relationships, my mind and spirit.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. nof007750 says…
    12/29/2014

    STEADY

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. raeoflight17 says…
    12/29/2014

    SIMPLIFY.

    My word for 2015 is Simplify. I chose this word because I will be having my second child in June and I feel like I am surrounded by too much stuff! Physical and emotional stuff! We moved from Washington to California this past summer, from a four bedroom house to a two bedroom apartment, and needed to rent a storage unit. I have spent the last few months purging things from my storage unit, opening boxes that haven't been opened in years and asking myself over and over, "do I really need this?" and "why am I keeping this?"

    With the move we also made the decision that I stay home with our two year old son instead of me working. This has been a difficult transition for me since I have spent the last six years teaching and committing so much time developing my career. So part of my word this year is to simplify my time and focus on what really matters most in my life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. soonermama says…
    12/29/2014

    I am fairly certain my OLW for 2015 is "Play." I think it will help me focus on playing with my kids, playing with my husband, having fun, trying new things, being creative without the expectation of perfection. Playing with the ideas of what health and fitness mean to me, what motherhood or my other roles are. I like the idea of "playing" with ideas or expectations and trying new things.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. tishey says…
    12/29/2014

    CELEBRATE

    celebrate little moments, big moments, my mind, quiet, the mountains, my body, my kids, my husband, stories. learn to celebrate instead of dwelling on little imperfections.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Roxanne24 says…
    12/29/2014

    Fearless.

    I am tired of living in fear. Fear of trying something new. Fear of upsetting someone. Fear of failure. Fear of imperfection. It often leaves me feeling paralyzed. I wonder if that isn't an excuse? An excuse for not trying? Not doing? Makes me irritated and frustrated with myself. I am going to be address the fear when it happens. Walking through it. Doing it anyway, despite the fear.

    I am excited to start the new year! Lots of change, lots of letting go and being FEARLESS!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. dah9099 says…
    12/29/2014

    INCANDESCENT

    It's big and slightly scary, but it took hold at the beginning of December and just won't let go.

    For me, incandescent means to shine, to glow brightly, to do all things with passion and purpose. It translates into all aspects of my life - livelihood, health, creativity, relationships, spirituality. Every decision can be routed through the lens of allowing/encouraging myself to be incandescent. If it doesn't make me feel incandescent, then it is not something that needs to be in my life right now.

    As I said, it's big and scary, but I am so ready for this!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. robyn_karsten says…
      12/29/2014

      Love you word!!! The first thing that came to mind was a Pride and Prejudice quote:

      Elizabeth says, "No! No. You may only call me "Mrs. Darcy"... when you are completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy."

      I envision someone radiating with life, with love, with happiness, etc.

  21. saraintexas says…
    12/29/2014

    Balance

    On Christmas Day I sat down and started making a list of all the things I wanted to do and accomplish in 2015. The list just kept getting longer and longer. I sat there looking at the list and told myself I was going to have to find some type of balance if I wanted to get those things done. And that's how I found my word.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/29/2014

      Perfect explanation - we are one person, we don't need to take on the "to do" list of 10 people!

  22. JayEssJay says…
    12/29/2014

    After living with the words "momentum" and "authentic" in 2013 and 2014, I'm ready to embark on a new journey in 2015 with the word, "present." I've been so inspired by Shauna Niequist's quote, "present over perfect." With my first child soon to make his arrival, I want to focus on the present moments: as we wait for him, as I birth him, and as I learn to live with and love him. Like you, I'm also intrigued by the other meanings of my word, in particular, the idea of "present" as a gift... not sure exactly what this means for me yet, but I know that with your guidance, I'm sure to find out!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. shackney says…
    12/29/2014

    This year's word (phrase actually!) came to me from an unlikely place - from Yoda!

    Now, as someone who has only seen two Star Wars movies - one of which was the first movie, seen when it first came out! - one might wonder how/why on earth I would choose a quote from one of its most well-known characters.

    To be honest, I'm not sure! All I know is that it "found" me - three times in one week, under very different circumstances each time, I saw this quote and it grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go. I took that as a sign and started pondering what it could mean for me in 2015.

    The quote: "Do or do not. There is no try." -Yoda

    My word for 2015 is DO. As in:
    -DO commit only to that which you truly WANT to do
    -DO commit only to that which you truly NEED to do
    -DO commit only to that which you truly CAN do
    -And, DO it!

    I always have the best "intentions," but I sometimes (often?) over-commit and fall short.

    For me 2015 will be about making sure I really want to, need to, and can DO what I state as an intention.

    And, about the DOing of that which I commit to.

    As always, Ali, thanks for leading us on our journey of discovery and growth.

    May you not only GIVE in ways that matter to you, but be GIVEN TO as you have given to others.

    Wishing everyone all the best for a joyous 2015,

    Steph
    www.PaperCraftersCorner.com

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. lalalebovitz says…
    12/29/2014

    Initiative/Yozma (Hebrew)

    I swore I was keeping my word illuminate for another year, because it took almost the whole year to find the light, but after doing November & December prompts I decided it would always be mine. So I side stepped to bright....ugh, that felt lame. I want to grow, I want to be the best me I can be. So my word initiative, which was given to me back in September, when I was asked to join the founder of the first inclusion gap program in Israel, called YOZMA meaning INITIATIVE, I went just 2 days ago...of course my word is initiative. Big bold loud & exciting. I'm doing it!!! You have know idea what a life change I'm on! Thank you OLW.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Cutestains says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is Grateful. I have so much to be grateful for, and I know I need to make a conscience effort in showing my gratitude for all that I have been blessed with.

    Reply 0 Replies

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