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. Jen K says…
    01/06/2007

    I knew my word by the time I finished your ezine. It is time. Before the day was over I had this LO in my head for it. And I finally finished it. Thanks for being an inspiration
    Jen
    [url=http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/pg.asp?gallery=1&cmd=display&layout_id=1054522]Time[/url]

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  2. Jen K says…
    01/06/2007
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  3. dawn says…
    01/06/2007

    I just wanted to say thank you. my word became more than one word, but it has the same meaning. Mine is I am worth... You can read my little poem i wrote on my blog if you would like.
    Thanks again, this came at a perfect time for me.

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  4. Melissa says…
    01/06/2007

    Hoping for a more active year. So, my word is. . . LIVE.
    Thanks so much for the challenge, and the invitation to reflect and grow.
    Melissa

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  5. Melissa says…
    01/06/2007

    I love this idea...thanks Ali.
    My word: GROW.
    Here's what I came up with:
    http://randompiecesofmel.blogspot.com/

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  6. Elizabeth says…
    01/06/2007

    Thanks for the inspiration Ali
    I have started a blog as a personal diary and my word Create has inspired me so much alreay this week- seen below
    http://tattie-bogle-tales.blogspot.com/

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  7. Michelle Krysl says…
    01/06/2007

    Since our new house should be finished in the next two weeks, my word for 2007 is Home. Check it out here: http://kryslfamily.typepad.com/krysl_family/

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  8. Kelly Buck says…
    01/06/2007

    my word this year...PAUSE.

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  9. Sandy says…
    01/06/2007

    I have been thinking about my "word for the year" since you posted, and I keep coming back to the same word...TODAY...it will be my word for the year. I tend to be both a procrastinator and a worry-wort, so this will be a motivating word. It will remind me to take one day at a time and to live TODAY to its' fullest and to concentrate on the here and now. Thanks for the inspiration...I've already started...TODAY!!!

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  10. christina lazar-schuler says…
    01/06/2007

    My word for the year is RELEASE.
    RELEASE stress
    RELEASE the creative soul in me
    RELEASE anger and frustration
    RELEASE love and share it with others
    RELEASE resentment and negatively
    It's all about letting go of the bad... enjoying life and embracing the new.

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  11. ashluvs2 says…
    01/06/2007

    my word...awaken. awaken my senses to what God has for me...the delight and joy of my children...my art...i want to awaken every aspect of my life...because why live if you arent awake?

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  12. hairyshoefairy says…
    01/06/2007

    My word is STRONG. I wrote a blog post about it here: http://hairyshoefairy.wordpress.com/2007/01/06/strong/
    Thanks for the inspiration.

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  13. Amy O says…
    01/06/2007

    Ali,
    As soon as I read this: "Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?" -- a word sprang to my head instantly -- I could see it in giant letters in front of me almost. The word: peace. I THEN read the rest of your post and thought: "Oh, rats. I can't use Ali's word -- I need another one." I've thought and thought -- I want balance, acceptance, delight, calm, serenity, the ability to face some unknowns with joy in my heart -- so peace is my word, too -- I have to go with what appeared before me ....... hope that's cool with you!!!

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  14. Nicole says…
    01/06/2007

    I have decided to go with Relax...that was the first word that came to me - but I wasn't sure - however after thinking about it for a few days that really is what I need to focus on this year!! Starting on my minibook right now...fun!!
    Nicole

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  15. Michelle Simmons says…
    01/06/2007

    i gave this one a lot of thought. first thought to use "aware," but that word doesn't allow for any real ACTION. thought and thought, and finally came up with my word for 2007..."responsibility". sounds more serious than it is... i decided that there is no more standing by...that i have to take responsibility for things in my life. responsibility for my happiness, for my goals to achieve...etc. it encompases to much. but i can't blame others if things don't turn out right. i have a responsibility to myself to admit that i am in charge of my life, and take the actions to make things happen... i'll be doing a few projects to reflect this...i'll post them when i can!

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  16. daniellemarieclaire says…
    01/06/2007

    Happy New Year 2007 Ali !
    My word for 2007 is SIMPLICITY.
    I am also keeping the word that I lived with the last few months of 2006 : JOYFUL. This word has changed my life, my perspective on life, how I feel in life.
    Looking forward to scrap a page about each of the 2 words ! :)

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  17. Katy Thames says…
    01/06/2007

    Ali,
    My word is "Selah" there is no concrete definition, but I have always taken it to mean a holy rest in the presence of God. I think that I get too wrapped up in myself and my life, and forget to take that holy rest.

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  18. Cheryl says…
    01/06/2007

    My word for 2007 is going to be SIMPLIFY!

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  19. christen says…
    01/06/2007

    my word is JOY...it hit me pretty strong after reading your post. thanks.

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  20. Freda Herrera says…
    01/06/2007

    My word is "CREATIVITY." I want to be more creative in everything that I do: spending time with my children & husband, at my job (I'm a teacher), and (of course) scrapbooking/photography. I have already started by purchasing a journal and writing my thoughts down.
    Thanks Ali!

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  21. shimelle.~* says…
    01/06/2007

    i've just read through all these words and discovered two things:
    1) i am totally in awe. so gonna bookmark this post for when i have a down day and need to get up again! (hope you don't mind!)
    2) i am totally cheating. i have two words that i have been playing with for the past few weeks. they are stuck on my wall now (thank you Making Memories for finding something that will make me happy without getting me evicted for hanging art!) and i've been working them into some projects i'm going to share on monday. can't wait to see what all these girls post too!

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  22. Jess Green says…
    01/06/2007

    so inspired by this idea... my word is BREATHE. need to concentrate more on solitude and relaxation in my life... but it's really more about just taking a breath sometimes and realizing life is good. you have no idea how much peace of mind doing this has given me... i've shared it with all my friends and they are finding the most fitting words for their lives... one who is trying to find a career is using "free"... another who is having a hard time with motivation chose "energy." thanks for another amazing thought...

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  23. Stephanie says…
    01/06/2007

    My word is TRY. TRY new things. TRY not to be so afraid. TRY to FLY. TRY to take risks. TRY to find my place in this world. Thank you Ali for helping us all TRY a little harder.

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  24. Sandi says…
    01/06/2007

    My word is HONOR
    I am going to HONOR the artist within. No more fear, no more rules, no more boxes. Just experimentation, learning and mastering.
    Honor... love it! Thank Ali - you are so inspiring.

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  25. Melissa O says…
    01/06/2007

    As I read this post the word CLEAN came to mind but I thought that wasn't a very good one. Then I read this week's issue and you said that the word might just come to you and to let it percolate. I have and CLEAN is my word, it fits. I just started the Library Of Memories class on bigpicturescrapbooking.com so I can clean up my organizational methods for scrapbooking. I want to keep a clean house, clean my body to lose wait and get healthier, create simple and clean layouts, clean up my negative self talk, do more to clean my environment, and so many other ideas. I finally have an idea of what I want on my class clipboard now. Thanks so much.

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