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. scrap_horse says…
    12/29/2014

    HOPE
    This word came to me very clearly a month or so ago. My reasons are huge and personal as I head into some big changes. I'm looking forward to what blessings hope will bring to me and where hope will take me and my family in 2015!

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

    Radiant.

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

    GUMPTION - with a dash of SPARK!

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

    SIMPLIFY
    I've had my word literally screaming at me for 4 months! My life has become crazy busy since September and I need to make my whole life more simple!

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

    RENEW
    Some things have happened in my life lately that caused some serious rethinking. Some things need little tweaks and others, really big tweaks. I had a list of about 7 words starting early November and have been narrowing down the list, until this week, when RENEW really hit me.

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

    About a year ago I read in Real Simple about a poet who requires each student to choose a tree on campus and observe it daily throughout the semester. I added TREE to my running list of possible words and have chosen it for 2015. I am anxious to have adventures with this word. Hopefully we will be able to visit California and see the giant sequoias.

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

    HARMONY - I need it so much! It will call for changes. Lot of changes!! And if I can reach it (my word), it will all be well worth it. My initial word was Peace but our Elf, called Harmony, brought a wind of change in our family as she didn't like fighting, yelling and crying. So that word has been with us for a little less than 3 weeks now and I decided to stick with it. Hello Harmony! :)

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

    S-upport
    E-ncourage
    L-ove
    F-orgive

    I decided to be more focus on my self this year...and it is not about being selfish...but about developing myself, find out my limits and borders, knowing myself better...

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

      This is so lovely - blessings on your journey of nurturing your self.

    2. kristeng says…
      01/01/2015

      Wooo, same word! :-) I thought about it possibly sounding a little selfish. But it's definitely not. I totally agree with your comments - about developing yourself, finding your limits, and knowing yourself better. Awesome.

  9. kholtz says…
    12/29/2014
    Reply 0 Replies
  10. jscrapper4ever says…
    12/29/2014

    Joann
    Attitude! Having a positive attitude vs. a negative one in life affects you and others in
    life. As I get older, I'm going to have a good attitude starting in 2015!

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

    You gave me my 2015 word on Facebook :) ... ENOUGH and the two sides to that coin ... Best of the best wishes to you and yours for 2015, Ali!

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

    PERSPECTIVE which is a follow on from moment this year. I want to work on the way I see things.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. little01jd says…
    12/29/2014

    Rejuvenate is my OLW for 2015. After having two surgeries in the past 8 weeks I need some rejuvenation...Ready to rejuvenate my whole life-mind, body and soul. Still have some work to do with my 2014 OLW of Simplify. So they will go hand in hand this year. So ready for 2014 to be behind me, begin 2015 and REJUVINATE~

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

    THRIVE.
    I have had a tough year physically and recently had a resolution to my illness so I am looking forward to thriving in 2015. Thriving physically, creatively, relationally, and spiritually.

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

    COMMIT.

    I was going back and forth between this and renew. 2014 was a very trying year and realizing that I wasn't where I was hoping to be, initially I was feeling 'renew' - but I realized that my life didn't need to be renewed. just refreshed... and that comes from commitment to myself, to my goals, to those around me.

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

    Commit

    I want to stay engaged and focused to realize both my short term and long term goals for health, finances, decluttering AND FINISHING my pile of scrapbook projects !!

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

    My word for 2015 is KIND

    It follows nicely from this year's word LOVE, it came to me in the last month as things started getting busy and I found myself over tired and not being kind to anyone including myself and having meltdowns.

    Our family word is LISTEN

    This was DS (5) immediate suggestion when I brought up about focus on a word this year - he seemed to just get the whole OLW concept and we are excited to explore it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. mdnolton2 says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is CONNECTIONS. I moved in 2014 to a place where I knew nobody, had rarely ever visited and I work at home full time by myself. It is time to connect to the people and the places here and start to plant some roots.

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

    Listen.

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

    COURAGE
    to have the courage to explore new things and new people and maybe new places, too.
    to not be shy {especially around men i like ;-) } and to have the courage to stand my ground.
    this word became louder the last couple of days.
    i feel very powerful with my word and very positive.
    thank you for your inspiration Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Littlebee81 says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is ACCEPTANCE.......I struggle with self esteem so this word is simply a reminder to accept myself as I am....flaws and all. They are what make me well....me!! Here is to a wonderful and promising New Year!!

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

      I like this word - very good choice! I too have struggled with this in the past, and this quote really hit home for me and has helped: "It is not who we are that holds us back. It is who we think we are not." I hope it holds some power for you too! :)

  22. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is EXERCISE. In it's literal sense, I'm in dire need of exercising for health reasons. I also enjoy exercising when I am in shape - so hoping once I get the ball rolling this will be a fun thing to make happen vs a chore. I am going to explore exercise routines, new exercises, ways to fit exercise in, etc. I am going to set some exercise goals but keep it realistic. I am also going to use the word to exercise my brain with new learnings, and exercise judgment in areas of my life that I don't feel fulfilled in...who knows what else this great word will lead me to! I'm excited about it.

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

    I think I have finally figured out my word for 2015 - CHOOSE - when it came to me, it just felt right. I am the type of person who can never make up my mind. I see the pros & cons to every situation and it about drives me crazy sometimes! I am in the process of really making some hard life decisions and I feel that the word CHOOSE will really help me. So many things in life are made up of choices that we've made and I am realizing that I am going to be, what I choose to become.

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

    REDUCE.

    Reduce my hoard of scrapping supplies. Reduce the number of tasks I do each week that can be simplified and made more efficient. Reduce the number of unfinished projects in my to do pile. Reduce my size and lose weight. Reduce my stress by focusing on what makes me happy. Reduce how much of myself I give to others who take, take, take. Reduce the guilt I have over saying no. Reduce my avoidance of the word no! Reduce my apprehension to take risks. Reduce the difficult to make room for more of the happy!
    So far, so good - I reduced our spending and debt over the past few months and we are starting 2015 debt-free! I also took Friday of this week off, so that I can focus on finishing up some projects and having some alone time. This year is going to be amazing for us all - I can feel it! :D

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ximena says…
      12/31/2014

      This is such a great word. And congratulations on being debt-free!

  25. Librarybug says…
    12/29/2014

    LIGHT
    My goals for 2015 are to feel lighter, lighten up, give light, see the light.

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

      I also chose light in all of its senses :)
      - eat lightly, lighten up, tread lightly, be the light, chase the light, shed light, etc

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