one little word®

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.

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339 thoughts

  1. Laura Z says…
    01/04/2007

    Ali, You are so inspiring. I have been reading your blog for a long time now and I just want to let you know I am happy and thankful for the effort into your craft and putting your message "out there" for everyone to enjoy, be inspired by, and to learn and grow from. "Thank you" from the bottom of my heart!
    Laura

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  2. Jann Saulsberry says…
    01/04/2007

    This is a great challenge. The word my heart spoke was WIFE. After being a single gal for 45 years, by best friend and the dearest man to my heart asked me to be his WIFE. I know this year will be full of challenges...most of them centered around combining our lives into one...and learning how to be a good WIFE! I am definitely doing a layout or perhaps a mini-book on this topic...and may even leave space for a few of my friends that I have watched be good WIVES to give me some advice. I know you are a strong creative woman...but I also see you being so interdependent and unified with your husband as you raise Simon and as each of your pursue your individual passions and careers. Thanks for the challenge...AND the good example! Blessings and my you find PEACE this year.

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  3. Kelly Libby says…
    01/04/2007

    My word is "well-being". My main resolutions are about caring more about my friends and families well-being. Basically to be more considerate and less criticial. Then, to care more for my personal/mental health. And, lastly to save more which will in effect care for the well-being of my finanances. Fun. I think i'm going to do a layout of this idea. Hope you and your family are doing well. Looking forward to a great new year. Also, hoping to meet up with you for a class or CKU.

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  4. Penny Brellenthin says…
    01/04/2007

    Excellent inspiration today Ali! Love the idea of a word to focus on in 2007. I have chosen EVOKE. I am going to work to evoke the childlike sense of freedom and happiness into my life in 2007. Peace.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Michelle Clarke says…
    01/04/2007

    So this year I have decided to take your weekly challenge every week and post my results. Will get me back to being creative as I haven't been for a while. I read your newsletter and thought one word was easy but there are several words in my head. Will have to settle on one and get started I already know how I am going to celebrate it!! Will post the results on Monday. Happy new year Ali - thanks for being such an inspiration!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. jan says…
    01/04/2007

    thanks you so much for this prompt..it truly was just what i needed and i decided to share my decision on my own blog. thanks so much.
    www.jancrowley.typepad.com

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. nikki says…
    01/04/2007

    My word is more like words - ROCK STAR!

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  8. suetreiber says…
    01/04/2007

    I knew right away what my word would be, then I read the others. I have too many good ones to chose from!

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  9. Sandra says…
    01/04/2007

    What a great idea. This year I'm going to do it. My word is Accept.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Rebecca says…
    01/04/2007

    patience. 7 months pregnant and a 1 1/2 year old running around, i will endure patience on daily basis.
    Will you be talking about this in any of your sessions in Tracy, CA? i am thinking about going, but I need motivation...

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. sue says…
    01/04/2007

    What a great challenge! I will be thinking about a word for this year and make sure to post on Monday. Thanks.
    Sue

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  12. Jennifer says…
    01/04/2007

    Thank you so much for these thoughts. They couldn't have come at a better time for me. As I was reading I immediately thought of my word. ORGANIZE. Hopefully keeping this one word at the top of my thoughts will help me to accomplish my goals of organizing more than just the stuff in my life. I'm also trying to work on setting and sticking with priorities so I can accomplish more in my day. Wish me luck!

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  13. Lolly says…
    01/04/2007

    This was an amazingly inspiring thing Ali, thank you. It's such a joy to read other people's words on here too :) Really lovely, I feel like the whole world is filled with positivity right now :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. shirley says…
    01/04/2007

    i got my word almost as soon as i started reading. this is somthing that i have decided on for awhile now. i want to be able to share with others friends family and all. thanks for the challenge here is the link to my page
    http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=155266&cat=500&ppuser=74506

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  15. Linda says…
    01/04/2007

    PATIENCE...that is my word for this year. With 3 children (two of them teenagers) and starting construction on a new house PATIENCE is what I am striving for in this new year. Wish me luck :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Angel says…
    01/04/2007

    I love your newsletter - I find it very inspiring. My word for the year is BLISS.
    Angel

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. kraftyscraps says…
    01/04/2007

    I'm so excited that your newsletter is back! I finally figured out my word . . . be back on the 8th with it. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Hashi says…
    01/04/2007

    The first word that popped into my head was "LEARN". At first I protested -- after all, this is the first semester in six years that I haven't enrolled in any college classes. But then I realised that it fits me and where I'm at perfectly! Thanks, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. stephanie says…
    01/04/2007

    What a great challenge..thank you for being so inspiring, so natural, such a great source of everythig! my word is FAITH....I will be back on the 8th to share my Journal!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. millicentB says…
    01/04/2007

    Oh Ali, thanks for the inspiration. I will post my "one little word" on Monday. btw - is the AEzine published once a month, once a week, or whenever inspiration hits?
    peace,
    millicent

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Tracy Whitney says…
    01/04/2007

    got my word, blogged about it: CONTENTMENT.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Marty says…
    01/04/2007

    I am torn between two words - contentment and challenge....be content with who I am and what I am, but yet challenge myself to be more, for my husband, my children, my world...and myself.
    Thanks for the inspiration you are, Ali! I love your art!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Daphne says…
    01/04/2007

    I was thinking of a word as I was reading your paragraph; and it was: PEACE, seriously. Then, I got to the end thinking you wouldnt post untill Monday and saw it was PEACE so, I have been thinking of my very own word, and I am thinking of JOY, DISCIPLINE, or EXPERIENCE/STEPPING OUT. Hmmm ... I have the whole weekend to pray about it ... I will let you know on Monday. LOVE IT!!! Can I use this at work, home, ...

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  24. Melissa says…
    01/04/2007

    My word is TIME, instead of complaining I don't have enough TIME, I'm going to make TIME!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. michelle says…
    01/04/2007

    my word for 2007 is HUMANITARIAN. I am excited and have started crocheting baby hats to send overseas. I can't wait to see what this year brings. I also quit smoking so wish me luck!

    Reply 0 Replies

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