The AEzine is back up and running for 2007.
For those of you that may be new to the site, the AEzine is a weekly newsletter that I started last fall. I try to incorporate bits and pieces of creative information and inspiration – geared towards scrapbooking and life (and the concept of life art). You can check out the past issues here. You can subscribe by entering your email address in the box up on the top right of this blog.
To celebrate the new year I wanted to share the one little word concept which is also featured in this weeks newsletter:
one little word
A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.
Last fall in issue two of this newsletter I wrote about the power of words and gave my top ten tips for getting those words down when you are scrapbooking. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts.
Last year I began a tradition of chosing one word for myself each January – a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. My word was play.
I thought a lot about play and what it means to me. I tried to incorporate it more into my everyday and on my adventures out in the crazy world. For me, it was a lot about living without fear – about being more open to experiences with an attitude of playfulness. The word play found its way onto many scrapbook pages and into many stories I told throughout the year.
Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother’s word or your spouse’s word or your child’s word – this is YOUR word.
One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here’s one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren’t ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.
You may be wondering, what in the heck does this all have to do with scrapbooking? For me, words are at the heart of what I do. The photos are a huge part, but the words bring it all home. Often times I will begin a layout with a single word. That word becomes my guide as I create my page. It helps me focus the story I am trying to tell and gives me an instant, easy graphic title approach. How often has a word directed your creativity when working on layouts?
Take some time this week to think about your own word for 2007 and read on for a related
weekly challenge.And in case you were wondering, my word for 2007 is peace.
weekly challenge
This week your challenge is to create something, anything, that celebrates your chosen word for 2007. Maybe a layout. Maybe a blog posting or a journal entry or a simple post-it note that you put somewhere you can see it each day. Make sure to journal about why you chose your word and what it
means for you – the more you let yourself explore the more benefit you will receive in the end.Come by my blog and post your response to the challenge on Monday, January 8, 2007. Looking forward to seeing your creations and reading your
thoughts.
I hope everyone has a great day today. And thanks for all the super nice comments on the kit yesterday.
![Two Peas](http://www.avantlink.com/gbi/10513/24901/21775/26723/image.jpg"width="120"height="240"style="border:0px;"alt=)
Hi Ali – I knew right away – CONTENT. I think I will do my very first page in my 2007 album about that word. And I will be CONTENT if that doesn’t happen until well into the next few months – ha ha…. Thanks for the inspiration.
I LOVED the AEzine this month!!I have been trying to come up with my word all day ling and I think I came up with the one I want. My word is Free. Free to live, love and be. I need to remember this word throughout the year and focus on being just FREE.
(Can’t wait to start the lo’s!!)
Thanks Ali-You rock!!!
Love this … and I’m freaking out about it, too. Just this morning – before reading AEzine – I was in my very own bathroom thinking about a word for the year. I’ve never done this before. Must be a crazy karma thing. Yes? Anyway, I have two, one for family and one for me.
The family word is RESPECT. Seems it is the word that will help us all focus on being better family members. That’s the theory anyway. We’ll see how it turns out. And for me … growth … or perhaps GROW to make it more action oriented.) Anyway … thanks for all your inspiration and in this case validation … a word of the year is a good thing.
My word for the year is “Do!”. As in, less thinking, less talking, just DO something! So I got busy and tried to “do” a layout today for the first time in awhile, and I just can’t get it right–looks like crap. Sigh. Tomorrow I will “do” it over, I guess, lol.
Ali~I haven’t read through the comments to see what anyone else was using as “their” word as I didn’t want them to persuade my decision one way or another so the first word that came to mind was CALM. I want to CALM everything in my life…that can be used toward organizing or CALMing the piles, time management or CALMing those moments of panic because something didn’t get done in a timely manner, not over extending myself or CALMing my personal schedule. This word fits perfectly into my 2007 goal.
Thanks for your great inspiration!
I know my word right off without even thinking of it – TIME.
I didn’t really set any New Year’s resolutions this year but I want to be better at managing my time. I need to get more done and be more productive than I am. I need to stop wasting my time. So, that is my goal for the New Year.
And my chosen word (time) also revolves around other aspects of my life that are continually on my mind. I just posted about my countdown to school being out before this. JM is looking forward to finally figuring out where we are going to be going. I’m looking forward to all the new-ness that this (hopeful) move will bring about. So it all boils down to time.
And I look back on things and I realize how far I’ve come. I’m so much happier now than I’ve ever been. I’m a much better teacher now. I’m a better scrapbooker now. I’m a better wife now. JM and I have come so far together too. And thus, all of this took time to get to this point too.
So, I’m excited to see what all is going to happen next and see what I think this TIME next year!
my word is E N J O Y! but it should also be balance …. it was a hard choice between the two!
Hi Ali! Love this concept and fits so well with the affirmations I have started doing. My word is PROSPERITY. I wrote a little bit about it on my blog: http://www.paige.typepad.com
Thanks for all the inspiration that you supply and Happy New Year!
Hi Ali,
This has really inspired me. I feel like I need to tell all my friends about this concept, because it really is so motivating to find the one word that you want to focus on for the year I already feel like I am gonna get so much more done because of focusing on this – anyways thank you.
My word is Free – FREE from debt – FREE to find my own style and to create my way – FREE to play more with my kids – FREEdom from all the little things in life that can get you down. I am excited to have a new focus. It’s a new year and I am so excited to have given myself permission to be FREE. I’m feelin in the mood to FREE myself from all this clutter we’ve built up this year. I told you I was motivated.:)
Thanks Again
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Ali.
I will be choosing the word Organize. My life is one big pile in every since of the word. My house, my car, how I do things. my scrapbook room. Everything. I am so looking forward to this project. It is wonderful. Thank you Ali
{simplicity}
It came to me tonight that this is what I want for this year.
Ali this is such a great idea, thank you so much for all the inspiration you give.
My word for 2007 is LIFE…to live it to the fullest, one day at a time but also I hope that before the year ends I’ll have a new little life growing inside me. Someone I can teach and inspire. Thanks again for all you do.
My word is PERSPECTIVE. Life gets busy, chores overwhelm, kids fight and cry, traffic snarls, spills happen, patience runs thin. But it is so important to keep things in perspective, to stop and count blessings, to appreciate what I do have and not pine for what I don’t, to realize that even as soon as tomorrow, a broken dish or misplaced shoes won’t matter — but harsh words could haunt my kids for life, and tension could affect my health. I must keep things in perspective.
Love this!! My word is BLISS! I blogged about it but also plan to update my banner and make a journal for the year!
The first word that came to mind was, “DISCIPLINE” – because it’s one of my weakest areas (relating to myself – my kids are all grown and my time for disciplining them is past) – that word led to thoughts of procrastination (one of my strengths, unfortunately!). And then – all of a sudden – I saw my word: “DO”
!
Time to stop planning, stop dreaming, stop *thinking* and just “DO.” The discipline will come in the “DO”ing. I am currently purging and reorganizing our main bathroom – I was already planning to create a clock on artist’s canvas to hang on the wall. When I *do* it will be my daily reminder to LIVE my LIFE and not just wait for life to *happen* to me.
Thank you for the inspiration, Ali — Blessings on you, Chris and Simon for an excellent 2007
Hugs from Alaska – kimB
I got it. My word is CELEBRATE. As in celebrate life. Celebrate all the things you are passionate about. Celebrate love and friendship. Celebrate you! I can’t wait to create a page on my word for this year! Thanks for the inpiration!
Hey Ali… Cool newsletter!. I have decided that my word for this year is going to be GROW. I am going to grow out of a few bad habits, grow my knowledge and skills, and attend to my family’s growth by learning, playing and having fun together. (Also growing my wealth would be cool too!)
Take care,
~mel~
I took careful consideration. Last year was all about ENRICHMENT and I figured this year is too, but less about my relationships and photo career and more about enriching my home life as better mother and house keeper. I REALLLY do need order in my house. Thanks Ali for the inpsiration!
I wish I could say Balance is my word for 2007, but I think time management will be the word for this year and hopefully my word for 2008 will be balance, I sure am goign to work on it.
corinnexxx
My word for this year is: Simplicity
My word definitely has to be ACCOMPLISH, yes finally get over the I am to busy, with three litte ones, husband away in the military, move house 500 miles away in 4 weeks and start again it has to be accomplish. Not only looking after and taking care of the above but also to take care of me and accomplish some of my personal and crafting goals.
ali- i’ve never written to you before, but after reading what the challenge was i just had too. my word for 2007 is HARMONY… you know like everyone working together to help make peace and happiness… i can’t wait to do the challenge. i am out of town, so i won’t be able to post it on monday, but i will be posting it. i am so inspired… thank you for all you do
karen
Hi Ali Love the newsletter and had my word in a split second – CHANGE. Change in work, moving house, the way I look at life, meeting new people, my scrapping style trying new things…. 2007 is going to be a great year!!!!
My word is patience…
I have just had our second child and I want to be patient with both her and ds.
Also patient with myself if I don’t get things done as quickly as I would like – like housework – instead take time out to spend with my children or a bit of me time instead.
Simplicity (is Freedom)
This is my affirmation for the year. Simplicity allows freedom in creativity, work and life. Freedom is breathing space to enjoy, experience, explore and relax more. Getting back to the basics and appreciating the space and peace.
I’ve chosen
FEAR
It stops me from doing so much, as my blog http://jenniemcalpine.blogspot.com/ will show over the year.
Can’t wait to sink my teeth into this one. It was in my mind before reading your newsletter, just didn’t know what to about it untill after reading your newsletter, So Thank you
You never stop inspiring me, Ali…
My word for 2007 is: Change.
We need lots of that around here…
CALM! My word is calm. I will not get worked up by work, school, home, kids, husband, demands, no time, always in the car, etc. I will walk through it all with a sense of calmness! Or at least I will try!
Ali–
Love your inspiration, and this concept! My word for 2007 is GRACE– experiencing it from God, extending it to my husband, my kids, and the world in general, releasing perfection to drink in grace.
Thanks for the venue to think this through!
My word is now my blog banner……
MOVE
My word is going to be ART… I have sooo many art books, postcards and inspiration to use that I seem to forget about. I will be making a suitable arty wall piece this weekend, can’t wait!! Thanks for such a good idea Ali… and how awesome was Simon’s prayer, so adorable!!
Tracey xx
HAPPINESS
i need to find it in my everyday, work, home, children etc.
thanks
Just blogged about my word the other day. My plan is to SIMPLIFY my world. Hoping to do a layout a week that helps me represent how my life is becoming more SIMPLIFIED. Love your inspiration.
Done my little word layout on my blog. LOVE this idea. my word this year is ‘do’ being so apt for the year I have surgery, travel further than ever before, and make every effort to take part, be in pictures (instead of behind the camera allllllllllll the time!) and get out more. Thankyou so much for my inspiration.
http://britgirl.typepad.co.uk/
This is a fabulous idea and I am definitely going to try and make my word my focus.
I have blogged about it so it is public knowledge now therefore I MUST TRY!
Thank you
Hi Ali…my word is HEAL. 2006 into 2007 are filled with many changes, sadness, depression and anxiety. I look beyond this to the good stuff I hope is waiting at the end of all of my life changes. Then it will be time for my healing process to begin. Thanks for motivating us. Diane from Cape Cod
Wow. So cool. I thought of my word right away as soon as I began reading the blog. CALM. Calm inside, outside for him and them (my family). I’m loving this. I feel a journal entry coming on. Thank you.
Great challenge Ali!
My word is HEALTH.
Healthy mind.
Healthy body.
Healthy family for 2007.
Thanks for the inspiration. You are a light in the world.
My word for 2007 is: BALANCE
This is a timely challenge for me as I’ve been thinking of this year that is so fresh and new. My word is simplify. It is my desire to purge my home of ‘things’ that I have accumulated which no longer have meaning or use and to search for the core of my desires so I can use my time well.
My word is CREATE. We’re having a baby this year.
My word is TRUST. As my health worsens and my abilities are challenged, I have to trust that I am where I am supposed to be and serving a purpose I may not even realize. Whatever happens in the future this year, I am going to trust that God brought me to it and will bring me through it. TRUST.
JOY–always have loved this word and I’ve adopted it as my mantra for 2007. I’ve decided that I will find JOY in all that I do this year and all the situations that I face. Too often I’m bogged down with what isn’t right or how awful something is.
BTW: DH would rather I adopt “organize, clean, declutter” as my word, but it’s my word, and not his. I do plan on doing the other things, though, as I’m sure they will help me to find some JOY.
most definitely JOY. i had an awesome Christmas season and can’t even imagine how it is going to change my life as i try to keep the “holiday” perspective throughout the year.
Thanks for the article… I loved your 2006 word of play. My word for this year is RISK. I have some big plans for 2007 that require me to take a chance to support my dreams.
So while RISKS can sometimes seem so dangerous, I need to remember that without them we wouldn’t do anything exciting, now would we?
Thanks for the motivation Ali!
Simplify is my word, Ali. Live simply. Simply live.
While PEACE is a word I am sure we all aspire to, the current situation in the Middle East a very large part of my life, I have chosen another word that speaks to me from deep in my heart on a very personal basis – GRACE. I encourage everyone to look for grace in every moment. I believe that the power of this word in particular can have a great impact in life. Have a blessed day. Susan
My word is Joy. We want to plan a vacation for our first anniversary and also have a baby this year, but if neither happens, then I don’t want to be disappointed. Also to find joy in the little things. I already do that, but I will try harder this year.
Ali,
I sent you an e-mail about your wonderful news letter and “one little word”. I also posted on my blog about it and I borrowed you work “play” I have been using the word peace…all last year. You can read more about it on my blog. I am going to a crop tonight and I plan on working on a layout with me and my new work ‘play’ will share that on my blog tomorrow. Thanks so much
peace
Kim