My 2011 necklace from the lovely Lisa Leonard. Get one for yourself here.
My word for 2011 is light.
This year my word sure seemed to choose me.
Most years I start thinking about my word for the following year in November or December. I think about it in passing and start listening, looking, and being open to the possibilities of a new word.
This year the word light seemed to be trying to catch my attention.
I found it in books, in magazines, in music, in conversations and in quiet moments.
So I’m going with it. It’s already surprised, delighted, challenged and sparked some new things within me.
Some years I’ve had to look harder or listen longer or simply choose one that fit with what was on my mind and heart at that moment. There’s no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It’s not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.
And what do you do with this one little word?
You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.
I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2011. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word.
In a couple of days I’ll post a compilation of the words as an inspirational reminder to us all.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.
NEW FOR 2011 : ONE LITTLE WORD at BIG PICTURE CLASSES
I’m excited to be offering a brand new One Little Word online workshop through Big Picture Classes in 2011 as a way to connect with and honor our words throughout the year.
Each month you’ll receive a prompt with a simple creative project and a gentle reminder to check back in with your word. By the end of the year you’ll have compiled the contents of an 8.5×11 album that documents, defines, celebrates and generally makes your word more visible. Workshop materials include printable elements, full-color PDF handouts, and video presentations.
People have been asking me if you have to be a scrapbooker for this class. My answer is no. Even though we are making an album it’s really more of a journaling/record keeping/thinking/exploring project. I’m excited to see how people interpret the prompts and make them meaningful for their own lives.
This is not complicated and it’s not time-consuming. It’s simply a way we can come together to share our experience with our words throughout the course of the year.
The One Little Word classroom opens on January 1, 2011.
![Two Peas](http://www.avantlink.com/gbi/10513/24901/21775/26723/image.jpg"width="120"height="240"style="border:0px;"alt=)
I’m still debating and thinking about it, but the word COURAGE comes to me. My Dad passed away leaving me in charge of his businesses. I typically avoid complicated situations at all costs (just my personality). But now, I’m thrown into this and have to make the best of it. I know my Dad would want me to have COURAGE to see it through, and not give up. So, COURAGE comes to me.
Also, the word REJUVENATE appeals to me. I feel like I’ve been through a sausage grinder this year. I would like to be more like myself, like the person I was before. I may never be exactly the person I was before, but maybe closer. So, REJUVENATE appeals to me as well.
I love looking through all of the other choices!
Simplify. I think it speaks pretty much for itself (and I mean it in every sense of the word…stuff, life, social networks, friendships, everything.)
Peace & Love,
~Barb~
I have been waiting for my word for 2011 to find me… several words have been swirling around; but the one that has “landed” in my spirit is {HOPE}. I am OPEN to what it will mean to fully embrace hope in my life this year… there are few areas in my life in DESPERATE need of it!!!
I am REALLY looking forward to your BPS Class Ali!!!
Simplicity. I thought simplify at first, but simplicity evokes more feeling for me. And it’s not all about decluttering, but really about connecting to WHO I am at my core, as well. So simplicity.
Love.
I resisted picking it because it felt a lil like cheating, or a cop-out, because LOVE is always the word, right? In the past I’ve chosen Move, Time, and Attend. Some years I couldn’t remember my word by August, other years it had a great influence.
I wanted a word I could come back to easily, could keep in the forefront of my mind, and could use when making decisions. I’m loving it already.
Thank you so much for being such an inspiration.
I have sat down, researched, and chosen my word very wisely. From experiencing a devastating divorce from my HS sweetheart of 23 years to passing through a milestone birthday plus everything in between, I really needed a word that said it all for me. The word I have chosen is “Purpose(ful)” …I’m excited to begin my new journey.
I am coming close to a final selection, one of the words I have been pondering is TOGETHER.
by combined action: jointly
in or into agreement or harmony
in or into a unified or coherent structure
with each other
I seem to have a problem with asking other for help or reaching out or taking the time to be “together” with others sometimes – I am thinking areas I can work on are together with God, husband, children, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers – it applies to all areas of my life! And like many of you once you become aware of something it seems to pop up everywhere – on a Dove Chocolate wrapper -”Togetherness itself is a holiday treat” Author John Maxwell – “Who you are is who you attract-grow accordingly” I also read Inside the God Box from one of Ali’s blog posts and to me it said together with God we can weather anything and that togetherness can help ease the stress I feel in my life, I’m not alone.
Love the word “light”-it has many meanings. The word I have chosen is “home”. I have been away from my home caring for a daughter with a medical emergency for almost a year. I want to go “home”-I dream about it and think maybe I have taken it for granted.
I think this year my word will be NURTURE.
As a mom, I easily nurture my children but I want to focus on the word nurture this year in a greater way. Nurture my relationships…with God, my family, and friends. Nurture my body, mind, and soul. I’m excited to see the growth and lovely memories that this word will bring me throughout the year.
Thanks for continuing the One Word project…I think it is such a great way to start the year and a better focus than a typical ‘resolution’.
Although I’ve read about one little word,this is the first year I will be joining in. Many words came and went, but the word that seems to encompass it all for me right now is RETURN. Return to my core beliefs and powerful practices. Return to my family metaphorically, as I have been working full-time as well as doing my graduate work and my mind and body have been mostly in work world. Return to simple habits and activities.
I love the sentiment of the word return.
I love reading everyone’s words. I’ve been looking at a couple of words and the one that keeps jumping out at me is “consistent”. I need to be more consistent in my running, training, parenting, work, etc. I’m looking forward to seeing where 2011 takes me with this new focus on being consistent.
Last year, my word was nurture. It was something I needed after a year of breast cancer treatments, but I never really worked the word. This year, my word is MOVE (taken from Cathy Zielske’s phase -Move more, eat less). I am great at lists and plans and thinking, thinking, thinking -and sitting. Now I want to get up and do all those things, so I plan to MOVE. I want to exercise, prepare healthy foods, de-clutter my space, change old habits, create art, scrap, and go find new things to see and do and photograph.
Focus. I need some in a big way!
Last year, my word was nurture. It was something I needed after a year of breast cancer treatments, but I never really worked the word. This year, my word is MOVE (taken from Cathy Zielske’s Move more, eat less). I am great at lists and plans and thinking, thinking, thinking -and sitting. Now I want to get up and do all those things, so I plan to MOVE. I want to exercise, prepare healthy foods, de-clutter my space, change old habits, create art, scrap, and go find new things to see and do and photograph.
My word is Health. I have chosen this as I choose to focus on a healthier life style in the upcoming year…. healthier foods, commitment to taking vitamins, exercise.
My word for the year is “Faith” which sounds very cliche; however,it seems to keep coming up in my daily life. My family and I recently joined a church this last year and are really enjoying being a part of the chrisitan community. My sister-in-law was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor this past july; had it removed and now is having it removed again for a second time here in December. My mother has always told me that I need to believe in God as if I am a small child, but I am struggling with this because of what my sister-in-law is going through. She is such a good friend, sister, mother and wife and I can’t seem to understand why God would path her in such a way? So, my word is “Faith” and I am determine to understand the true meaning and give myself to the Lord in hopes that he will guide myself and family through the year.
ACTION and I have found each other. Hopefully we get on well together in 2011.
While I was tempted to pick the word ‘light’ as well I waited and oddly… the word ‘wait’ slammed me in the head. I think God is trying to say something significant so I am following along. Just signed up for the class and am really excited to get going
Commitment is the word I’m choosing this year, my third year of choosing a word.
There are so many choices out there and I have been weighing quite a few (family, believe, and the number two is wonder) really seem relevant. I keep coming back to CELEBRATE.
It fits into my life so well, it’s got it’s own little place already and it will help me on my way to where I truly want to be.
I want to celebrate life, beauty, health, family. I want to celebrate me and who I am. I want to celebrate creativity and all of my pursuits. I want to celebrate the choice to finally become a professional photographer!! I will celebrate ordinary moments and ordinary days as the moments of my life.
Hopefully, by 2012 I will be the person I so want to be. One who sees each moment and celebrates it and it’s worth.
Patience in all things. More patience for my children, more patience for life in general. Welcome, 2011!
Bonjour,
my special word for this year (or my «mot-phare», as I like to call it in French) is beauty. Thank you Ali for inspiring me in a lot of special ways.
Hi Ali!
Thanks for continuing to inspire me. BIG hugs, my friend!
LOVE your word. So neat that it chose YOU.
My word for 2011 is GOODNESS.
I chose it because I want to be reminded in the coming year to see the goodness in people, my surroundings, everyday moments, life’s challenges, hardships that I may have, every single moment with my children, etc. When I was trying to pick my word – I had a few that stuck out in my mind, but once I said “GOODNESS” out loud – it just felt right so I am going with it.
My word is CHANGE. This is what I want for myself in my personal life but it is also happening at work and in other situations I can not control. I feel like this word has found me!
This year my word is “create” and not just in the crafting sense. I plan on creating opportunities for myself. I am going to be going back to work after 8 yrs of being home with my boys. I plan to create myself into more than a mom, wife, caregiver. I want to create more at my craft table and hope to make this into my career somehow!
I have read for a few years now about people choosing a word to try to live out and focus on throughout the year. I never thought about trying it myself, but this year, I think it will help. I have felt myself caving in to stress and worry and fretting – all completely unnecessary! So for 2011, I am going to focus on the word “Peace.” I’m already looking up verses in the Bible that talk about peace, and I am going to try to memorize some of the ones that speak the most to my heart!
My word for this year is cleanse. I want to cleanse my mind, my body, my home, and my spirit this year. I have had a really trying past two years and I am ready to move on and start anew. This is my last year in my 20′s and I want to start my 30′s off the right way!
My word is HOPE. I am a Breast Cancer Survivor and I live each day hoping that it never returns! I also know that my HOPE is in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I never want to forget that…so my word is HOPE.
declutter
my house, my body, my negative thoughts
welcoming the new year with open arms.
My word for 2011 is LOVE. To love myself and show the love to all my dear ones.
And I had some sad news today so I will need all the love I can get and share it with my parents, who will need it so hard.
It will be a year full of sad emotions, and saying good-bye, I’m afraid.
My word was chosen for me awhile ago as well. It is Light. I chose it before your posts about it. Light seems to transcend to everything I need and want for myself in the upcoming year.
-Light(en) my stress
-Light(en) my workload/volunteer load (this will hopefully stop the procrastination & the feeling of being overwhelmed all the time)
-Light(en) my weight (a BIG one)
-Light(en) my approach
-Light(en) my reaction
-Seek Light (do more with my photography, Seek the light of God)
-Lighten my caloric intake
-Be in the Light
-Send love & light to many
-Light candles more in prayer, in meditation, in romance, in comfort
-Be light with worry….ie: worry way less
-Travel light
-Light(en) my belongings… ie: simplify/organize/discard/declutter
-Light(en) my expectations
-Light the fire inside of me again- creatively, romantically,…just find ME
-Soak up the sun Light
-Use Light to my advantage…ie: time management
-Be thankful for each light of day I see
Oh I could go on…but this is my purpose …Seek Light, Embrace Light, Be in the Light.
LOVE LOVE LOVE
I have never chosen a word before {but I have always enjoyed reading about yours and other peoples} Last year a word chose me/my family ~wreckage so this year I AM CHOOSING my word ~wrebuild…
I have been thinking about my word for 2011 a lot lately. I haven’t been able to nail down a single word. I was so pleased with my 2010 word gratitude that I am having a hard time finding a word to live up to the wonderful blessing I found in 2010. I keep coming back to “enough”. I want to be enough, i have enough, but enough just isn’t the word I want posted around my house. (seems like a negative word, rather than positive) So still searching…love reading all the posts. Thank you Ali for your inspiration!
My word for 2011 is REMEMBER. This past year I have had a very difficult time remembering things. Not sure if it has to do with my schedule, diet,or other health problems. So in 2011 I want to get to the bottom of my memory problems.
I also chose REMEMBER as my word because I want to make the effort to remember the little things that people do for me! The family and friends who invite us into their homes! I want to remember them in a special way!
i had a hard time choosing – there were two that really spoke to me. in the end, though, one stuck out a bit more so i’m going with that: GRATITUDE. very excited to explore this more. thanks, ali.
This is the first time I have ever chosen a word for the year. I am so happy I stumbled upon this blog. The word I have chosen for myself is FEARLESS. I am one to always second guess myself and my works, never thinking I measure up. I suffer from panic disorder and most of my life involves the fear of having another attack and what people may think. Life is a constant struggle. One of my goals for the year to be part of a DT. I love to scrapbook and would love to be part of something bigger and share my works and ideas with others. I often feel a bit nervous about being rejected and feeling a failure but I realize its just a part of the disorder. So I the word for me is being fearless even in small steps. Ali I love your blog and thanx for all the inspiration.
My word is: “live” I want to make sure I am experiencing things and not just recording them. . . Plus I know three people with life-threatening illnesses and want to remind myself to feel appropriate gratitude for the health and wellness I currently have.
If asked today, my word would be “aware”. To be aware of all the wonders in this world, God’s hand in all of them, and the little miracles happening every day around us all!
No discount code for Lisa’s store this year?
Hi Kate – she didn’t offer one but maybe she is through another site? You could always contact her and ask
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My word is change. I make custom jewelry and have already started wearing my necklace (and have been blessed to make a few pieces for others already, too). 2011 will be a wonderful year for us. I can feel it!
wow thats alot of responses Ali you really can make a change in the world believe me
My word is INSPIRED. So looking forward to the class this year just wish I didn’t order from Scrapbook-creations b/c they have not sent me anything or even an email, I am uninspired by them!!!!! heather
The first word that came to mind about the New Year was CHANGE. Seeing as my husband and his business partner had to make the very difficult decision to close their company, leaving us without an income and him desperately searching for a job. So things will need to be different. Changing our spending, our attitude, our perspective, our saving, our careers, our habits, etc. I think it works but I feel that I need a word with a deeper meaning. So I’ve been throwing around the words, PURPOSE and RELEASE as well. The idea of everything in our lives, our home, having a purpose. Getting rid of excess. No longer wasting time, money or energy on unimportant, frivolous, things. The letting go of fear, and expectations. No longer living societal stereotypes and finding what really matters (what we can live with and what can’t live without). This is a terrifying and new road we are heading down but I think if we can make it through, we will come out on the other end better, happier and knowing what really makes life meaningful and worthwhile.
Really looking forward to this class.
I’m really struggling with finding a word. I have three words in mind at this time: balance, wellness, and courage. I have a hard time with choosing the word each year and often forget about it for months at a time. I guess my problem with these three words is their interconnectedness (not sure if that’s a word). I would love to have balance and wellness be a part of my life and that takes a lot of courage for me right now. I also like the idea of mindfulness or mindful. I’m just digging myself in further and further. Anyone else struggling with this?
Have you made a choice? It’s ok to have more than one – there’s no rules. Maybe go with a couple and as the year goes on you’ll find that one seems to be more meaningful.
My word for 2011 is “Make”. Make time for myself, make gifts for others, make space by releasing and selling/donating items I no longer use (or are new and gathering dust on the shelves), make new friends, make memories (make scrapbooks!), make 2011 a year of productivity and release.
I have loved reading the different words. After the death of my mother last year and the death of my father this year, my word is STEP. Each step leads us in the direction we are to take- in life, love, with family, friends, and with God. Thank you Ali for your words and for the work you do, it often makes my life easier as I attempt to express my words and thoughts through pictures and pages.
My word is REMEMBER.
I want to remember the way we danced in the kitchen, even though I was in such a hurry to get the pie in the oven.
I want to remember the goals I have made, the changes I need to make to become the person I hope to be.
I want to remember life.
Oh, boy. I thought and thought this morning what I would like to choose for my OLW for 2011 and I’m stuck on 3…happy, calm, and proactive because these are all things I would like to be. If I’m honest with myself, I just haven’t been all that happy over the last year or so. If I could just allow myself to see the happiness or joy in the little things maybe I could move that much closer to just being an overall happy person. Probably one of the reasons I’m not all that happy is because I overreact to the littlest things. I just need to chill, calm down. And finally, I am a champion procrastinator, which contributes to my overall unhappiness with everything and stresses me out. You know, after writing this, I’m thinking my biggest problem right now is procrastination…I’m always stressed because I always feel three steps behind. That’s it! Proactive is my OLW for 2011!!! I’m going to challenge myself in January to do one thing every day that’s earlier than I need to do it. Yea! Thanks Ali!!!
My friend Megan guided me to your blog. I have a similar post today and I chose the word EXPOSITUS – Latin for “open”. Expositus=open, accessible, exposed.
xoxo
Pammy
My word is PAUSE.
My word for 2011 is harmony. This is also my first year with a chosen word. I think of harmony as a way in which I would like to live my life, not just in 2011, but always. Although the musical definition of harmony is pleasing, I am thinking more about the achievement of balance of all parts of a whole, my whole self. I am looking forward to participating in your BP class this year.