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=)
My word for 2011 is going to be “healthy.” I want to work on being more physically healthy, emotionally healthy and spiritually healthy. 2010 was a really tough year and I feel like focusing on taking care of myself and regaining my health will propel me to progress, happiness and peace.
I was going to ‘renew’ this year, but decided ‘begin’ is a better choice for me. I will begin….
My word for 2011 is “Push”! It means several things to me but primarily that I have generally coasted through life and now it’s time for me to be much more proactive and Push to get things done in terms of health, personal and professional goals, financial goals and just about all realms of my life. I need to Push to see things change instead of just floating through! Oh and BTW, love your 2011 necklace! What a great a idea to keep your word fresh in your mind!
Last year my word was accomplish and it did help me learn to start and finish what I started. But this year I need to do some self love and self appreciation so…….
my word is TRUE
I need to learn to be TRUE to myself, I find myself trying to please so many people that often I am not TRUE to myself.
Thanks for this Ali!! You are an amazing woman and I feel blessed to have you in my life as such an incredible inspiration!
My word is Happiness – it seems the last few years I have been white knuckling my way through life and I am ready for happiness to make an appearance again. I signed up for your class at BPC and I have my album and I am ready for Happiness in 2011!
My word is LOVE. It found me when my baby was born 2 weeks ago. Love for her, love for my husband, love for family and friends, love for me…
My word for 2011 is IMPROVE. My word/goals/intentions for 2010 got hit with lots of setbacks due to a serious health diagnosis and I struggled to come to terms with that. Improve has been rolling around in my brain all month – improve will cover both the very small things (which may be all I can do) or larger things if my health…improves.
IMPROVE is my word too…..I hope you signed up for the class…it will be nice to chat with you and talk about our IMPROVEMENTS!
I love your word-of-the-year idea! That necklace is beautiful with your word on it to remind you every day!
I think I’m going with MOTIVATION for 2011. I haven’t been very motivated lately & feel like I need to find my motivation in all things again. Thanks for all your great ideas that you share!
strong
Mine is “firework”…I am so conservative…and the Katie Perry song makes me feel special, like I can do anything…I always underestimate myself…
Love this!
I love this. It’s funny–because that song actually makes me get a lump in my throat. I think it’s the perfect song to live by. Everytime I hear it, suddenly it becomes an excellent reminder of what we are worth!! Way to go firework!!!
Her song is part of the reason why I chose ‘shine’ for my word.
Great song – fun and so inspirational!!
P.S. I underestimate myself all the time too – it’s time we stopped doing that
I love this too.
Time
In my busy world I often do not take time for the most important people or things in my life. I want my word to remind me and guide me to take time for Life.
There have been two words entwining into my life recently- light and love. I combined them into another word I am drawn to- DEVOTION- love with vision and commitment.
I am looking forward to exploring love and light with you in your class, Ali!
Renew – is the word that keeps coming to my mind. Renewal in so many areas of my life. Not that anything is bad, just that I need to focus in and make things new again, better, have a renewed sense of purpose and zeal!
This word is calling to me too…so many things that I can make better.
I had some words hovering… I wasnt sure which I should choose… I wrote them down and underneath each added my reasons/thoughts behind each one. in moments there was a clear winner – with five hundred {or thereabouts
} reasons and meanings for me.
My word is balance.
Balance between thinking it over and over thinking.
Between doing some art work and staying up for three hours too many after midnight
Between being letting it go and fighting them all the way
Between hearing the comment and over thinking it
Between helping out and feeling used.
Between wanting it right and setting ridiculous standards.
Looking forward to your class Ali
The word that chose me was movement.
Looking back on the year 2010 I would have to say that the word that defined it was stagnant.
I am ready (and yearning) for movement. Moving my body, Moving my spirit. Moving my finances. Moving my projects along. So yeah, movement it is!
Cultivate – the dual meaning/use of this word/implement is exactly what I need (yes, I’m a farmer’s daughter!) A cultivator loosens the soil to prepare it for planting & growth… and later removes the weeds from around the growing plants. I’m looking forward to growth this coming year, but also need to weed out the things in my life that don’t fit anymore.
My word is change—it sounds cliche when I say it, but I think we are in for a lot of change in our lives this year—new city, new home, new schools (for me–I teach, my son), new friends, new church—change, change, CHANGE!!! And it’s not all bad—new grandbaby!!! But I think it will be a year of change whether it’s my word or not. I’m choosing to embrace the change—not begrudge it—to find the “sweet” in it, not just the negative—but the beautiful. I’m looking forward to what the Lord will teach me during this year and how I will respond—not react—to the CHANGE!! Thanks Ali for helping me focus—
My one little word for 2011 is LESS as in consume less, spend less, weigh less, worry less, obsess less, waste less. I have taken on a lot of new responsibility and my roles have changed. I am now a working mom. I have not transitioned as well as I would have liked and need to streamline my lifestyle so I am not so wasteful. So less, it is!
Maybe I’m just a day late and a dollar short, but the word STORY is just jumping out at me. This year’s Dec Daily introduced me to the word and I’d like to continue to see where it leads.
I just love this project Ali! Thank you for the inspiration each year!
I haven’t chosen my word yet but I have narrowed it down to 3 choices. I know whichever I choose will be great for me, as my words were in previous years.)
RESCUE – Based on the volunteer work with a dog rescue organization I have been doing and will be doing more with in 2011. I have time to give and I want to use it the best I can.
JOURNEY – Enjoy the journey and focus less on the destination. Know that my specific journey in life is perfect for me.
MOMENT – Try less to capture those perfect moments with my camera instead of actually living them. Also, focus more on specific moments and what is special about them instead of the past and future.
hi Ali,
not sure if you’ll get this message, but it’s worth a try!
we met back in 2005 at a CKU where I was in your class “A Week in the Life.” It was an awesome project and I loved capturingn the everday minutae that made up my life.
One little problem. Fast forward to 2010 and I’ve been divorced for about 4 years. This year I decided this final vestige of my former marriage had to go, but with it goes my project.
I have plenty to be happy about in the here and now and would love to capture another week in my life. Would you, could you, pretty please send me the instructions for the album using the 12 x 12 Scrapworks (now called Anthologie I think) for a week in the life?
I’d love to start over, but need some help creating the template. Many thanks & hope this year is filled with light for you.
xo,
Christina Lam
Hi Christina – unfortunately I don’t have access to those instructions anymore but I do have a whole series set up here on my site for creating new week in the life projects. You can check them out here: http://aliedwards.com/2010/01/week-in-the-life.html
I have thought about the word off and on for a few weeks, but it was a process of events and thoughts and paths that chose the word for me this year. I love having that happen, it puts great anticipation in my soul. This year it is plant, and everytime I think of how it might play itself out, tears well up in my eyes. Wish I could join your class, but as always just inspired by what you already share. Happiest of New Years Ali.
Organize- Life, Time, Space. As a new mom this feels this most:)
2010 wasn’t an easy year for me, dealing with having cancer! But my (secret) word was ‘possibilities’ and i found that during the year i had many! Treatment was very tough, but every time i felt a little better i was so happy that i could do things, that i could enjoy things, that i could meet people and that i could make things! There were still many possibilities for me in life! So i was a good word!
And, now that treatment is done, and i step into another new year, i find myself hoping to achieve a lot in 2011! I don’t have specific plans or goals, but i would be wonderful if i could close 2011 with a lot of things done! So ‘achieve’ is my word! Hope it’s ‘as good to me’ as this years word!
Oh, and i’m signed up to your class Ali! Have my page protectors and papers at the ready! Can’t wait to start!
It sounds like you had a tough year PJ, but also that you’ve got a positive attitude which is so great. I’ll put you in my prayers for a wonderful and healthy 2011 for you!
I love your attitude PJ! Peace to you in 2011.
My word for 2011 is “J.O.Y” As in:
1. Jesus
2. Others
3. Yourself
I want 2011 to be the year I consciously try my very best to live my life sequentially according to this acronym. I am sure I will find true joy if I do!
Thanks for the continual dose of inspiration everyone!
Blessings for a happy, healthy, “J.O.Y.-ful” New Year!
Love this word & especially your definition of it.
Ok, I just received confirmation that “J.O.Y.” is the word of 2011 for me. I opened up my daily Dove Promise Chocolate piece and my daily “promise” read:
“Joy is contagious.”
(Yep, that’s my word!)
My word is Balance. This will serve as a gentle reminder to find balance in my everyday life. Family, friends, work & play.
Thanks Ali- I am so looking forward to Twenty-Eleven!
Execute-I have a lot of ideas in my head of things that I would *like* to do and never seem to find the time to do them. 2011 is the year to EXECUTE my “to do” list. ie more charity/community work; move more eat less ; even more time with family I can go on and on…
My word this year is EUCHARISTEO and is inspired by the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp (her website: http://www.aholyexperience.com/one-thousand-gifts-book/)
When Jesus “gave thanks” the original language says eucharisteo which means gift or grace and also means joy. So, grace, thanksgiving, joy all together in one word: eucharisteo.
I hope to use this word as a catalyst to give thanks continually, to notice the gift of beauty everywhere and be joyful always—something that is difficult for me as a recovering cynic.
I just changed my one little word from “enough” to eucharisteo! I am almost finished with Ann’s book and it is awesome! “In all things, give thanks.” “In ALL things, give thanks.” I want to live a life of gratitude.
Strength…
to sit and listen to what will be said
to accept it
to endure it
and, when filled with fear and uncertainty…
Strength…
to smile, comfort and reassure
Move. As in physically, emotionally, spiritually and in all cases moving in a forward/growth direction. As I was reading your post (before reading the comments) it hit me right out of left field – move. It’s my word. I love it when things are billboard clear!
My word for 2011 is SAVOR!
Savor the little moments, savor the good. 2010 went by really quickly and now having my second child watching the little changes in her everyday is important to savor. My son is almost 4 years old (WHAT!?) and I cannot believe how fast he’s grown as well. So I want to SAVOR all the little details in my life with them, my family & with everyday little things.
i can’t wait for the class to start!
this year my one little word is: make
it totally works for me and where i want to be in 2011 – there are so many things i’m considering this for.
My word for 2011 is build, like Ali this has seemed to pop into my life in various ways- even before I knew what it meant. I’m now starting to see how appropriate it is for me and the things I want to achieve. Love this one little word concept, thank you Ali.
Accept:
what is
what cannot be changed
joy in my life
love
ACCEPT IT ALL
In 2009 I chose “Focus” and by the end of the year it helped me decide which way my career was going to go. I am finally in a field of nursing that satisfies my to my core each and every day. It also helped me focus on my health and how I was going to get myself healthier and I did do it!! I lost 80lbs and feel like a brand new me.
In 2010 I chose “Do”, be cause I decided life was way to short to wait on things that I wanted or needed. I started doing the things that would help me succeed at work, and my husband and I started doing the things we needed for our future.
This years word found me! It was on a gift I received for christmas, and it inst it was on dove wrappers 3 times in a row…..it is my
My word this year will be ‘Manage’. To manage with what we’ve got. Manage our home, finances, quarrels between little boys, manage my time. Last year my word was strength and I called on it often. I love doing this each year.
In 2009 I chose “Focus” and by the end of the year it helped me decide which way my career was going to go. I am finally in a field of nursing that satisfies my to my core each and every day. It also helped me focus on my health and how I was going to get myself healthier and I did do it!! I lost 80lbs and feel like a brand new me.
In 2010 I chose “Do”, be cause I decided life was way to short to wait on things that I wanted or needed. I started doing the things that would help me succeed at work, and my husband and I started doing the things we needed for our future.
This years word found me! It was on a gift I received for christmas, and it instantly went to my heart. When it was on 3 dove chocolate wrappers 3 times in a row I knew it was the right one. My word for 2011 is “Fearless”.
I am all signed up at Big Picture and cant wait for january 1st! Thank you for your continued inspiration!!!
heather
You are so right about the word choosing you. I chose patience last year and this year I kind of figured I’d just choose patience again since I didn’t get to where I wanted to be with that word. But it just didn’t feel right. All of a sudden, the word “acceptance” came to me. I kept trying to ignore it, but acceptance seemed to have the connotation of just taking what happens and not “fighting back” for want of a better phrase. But then I realized, what I really was looking for with patience was something deeper. Yes, I want to be more patient. But to become more patient, there are things I need to just accept. Things like a colleague who is always late, that’s just the way she functions so rather than get bent out of shape and impatient, I need to accept that that is the way she is. Once I accept that, I will be more patient. Anyways, that is just one simple example. This coming year my word will be ACCEPTANCE. I am looking forward to the journey.
My word is “restore”
My word for 2011 is LOSE. In the past 10 years I have gained 100 lbs. It’s hard to even acknowledge this to others much less myself. In the past I have blamed it on so many circumstances. Having 2 kids too close together, not being able to exercise because of a heart defect. The list goes on. I realize now that those were only excuses to make myself feel better for failing so miserably. But it’s not the end, only the beginning, and so my word is LOSE, because I can only WIN this race by LOSING.
You can do it Amy! Like so many things in life, it’s a lot about knowing you can do it and so let me be one to tell you “You can!”.
You can do it Amy – one day at a time.
Thank You for the inspiration Ali! My work is SIMPLICITY….something I really need.
Embrace.
Embrace life as it is at the moment, embrace the person I am at the moment, and embrace the people around me.
My word in 2009 was simplify, in 2010 was selfless and in 2011 will be HEALTHY. 2009 was a year to focus on my family’s life as a whole (and was all about learning to be content with less). 2010 was about doing for others cheerfully. 2011 will be about me. Not in a selfish way but in a “I need to get my life back in order and be healthy for my family” way. My physical, spiritual and emotional life needs work. Thank you for introducing the One Little Word concept to me several years ago. It has really made a big difference in my life.
My word for 2011 is AWAKE. It found me. I want to be awake to the possibility, awake to the task, awake to the joy & awake to my life.
I was going to use RE also! I was convinced of it, until your Reverb10 post. Manifest is my word. I hadn’t heard it in years, and it pinged something in me like a little note. Now I see/hear the word everywhere.
Mindfulness – for so many reasons
My word for 2010 was LIGHT (see my reasoning here: http://katemadedesigns.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html) and am interested in seeing how it will manifest itself in your work next year.
I am leaning toward BEGIN this year. I am looking for a job and a relationship and will be starting classes this spring so BEGIN is a good word for me. Of course that may change at any moment, maybe I should try commit.
Love your reasons for light last year – many of those are the same for me this year
.
My word for 2011 is “enrich.” I am so happy with so many things in my life, and I just want to make them better: enrich my relationships with family and friends, enrich my knowledge by learning and trying new things, enrich my artistic skills, and enrich my relationship with myself by taking care of my health. I am really looking forward to your class, Ali!
as simple and generic as it sounds to me, i am choosing brave as my word. i have been brave many times in my life. i have suffered through much and learned lessons and loved, laughed, & lived. the past few years i have realized that i am no longer brave. not the way i once was. i am afraid constantly. to hope for new, to take steps in different directions. to believe in myself the way i once did. so i am choosing brave because out of all the words sitting on my soul this is the one that will allow me the courage to be a better me. to endure another of my husbands long deployments, it will give me strength to keep being the best i can for my 3 children. it will push me to act on my creative dreams. it will help me to continue growing in my faith- being brave is often scary. i have stepped away from so much for so long because i just wasn’t brave enough to move forward, to trust, to believe. but i wanna give it another go. and find all the ways that being brave can challenge me and change me and so much more. so many words connected with this one. but brave is my choice this time, i wonder where it will lead me.
Simply beautiful.
I hope you print out what you wrote here Sherry – it’s very, very inspiring.
My word for 2011 is CALM. So many things have been out of balance for me this year- from big things (my husband was almost killed in a work accident) to the little things (our morning getting ready for work and school routine has become stressful and chaotic). I need a good dose of calm!