One Little Word 2011
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 8.5x11 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.
wholehearted
Oh, Jenny, I love this choice. Mine is different this year but I can totally see myself choosing that some year. Are you familiar with Brene Brown's work? If not, check out http://www.ordinarycourage.com/.
Jenny, I just read this quote and thought of your word:
"Do you understand that it's impossible to please God in any way other than wholehearted surrender?" ~ Francis Chan
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joy
this has been a really hard year for me (2010) and even tho the struggle with depression isn't going away - i know that i can find that joy in the small things
Holly, I picked courage for much the same reasons -- we can joyfully encourage one another to be courageous!
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I was going over your past posts regarding "One Little Word" hoping that a word would find me. And it did! My word is PERSEVERE. I am typically a shy person so words like "peace", "give", "happy" are words that best describe me. But when I started to look up the definitions for PERSEVERE - it just stuck a cord with me. I love that it is a "stronger" word for me. It is going to push me to really do things out of the box for me.
I'm also in your BPS "One Little Word" class and can't wait!
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Right now I am really leaning toward "SLOW" as my word for 2011
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Gratitude. As in "In Everything Give Thanks." 2009 & 2010 began the exercise for that, but I'm looking forward to actively expressing it.
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My word for 2011 is "reconnect" and I'm really excited about having a focus on this word for 2011. I am familiar with the idea of one little word but have never tried it. Looks like 2011 is the year and I am so looking forward to it. My word also chose me and I've already had so many ideas + thoughts about why/how this word fits me. I'm keeping a journal too and can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
Thanks Ali for your constant inspiration through sharing what you love.
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LOVE
This is my first year to participate in any kind of on line class. I am so excited to experience LOVE throughout this journey. I have been listening for my word to come to me and it finally did last night as I was talking to my 13 year old daughter. Love-it is all we need.
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My word found me in December when dealing with several sides of the family confronting a life challenge that will affect us deeply this year. Strength is my word. I have already begun to feel the power of one word in my life.
Strength is a great word! It was my word in 2008 & it is one of my words every year because it reminds me that I am stronger than my anxiety. I am glad you are already feeling the power of this word. Best wishes for 2011.
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Simplify....I feel my life it cluttered with a lot of unnecessary things. It's time to SIMPLIFY!
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Hi Ali,
My favorite start to the New Year :)
My word for 2011 is CONNECT.
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My word for 2011 is movement.
I chose the same word!! Good luck in 2011!
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As I stand up I declare 2011 the year of taking RISKS, artistically, professionally, and personally. The dictionary defines risk as, "take or run a risk, to expose oneself to the chance of injury or loss; put oneself in danger; hazard; venture".
When I say risks I mean intentionally putting myself into situations that make me feel uncomfortable all in an attempt to assist my growth both in breadth and scope. I want to attempt things that will take me out of my ordinary and fling me into the extraordinary. I want to do things that'll push me out of my proverbial box. Yup folks. This is gonna be interesting.
Somehow, your post sounds so exciting to me. I keep smiling as I think about your words.
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Hi everyone!
I really love this concept of a word that defines, guides and moulds my life. I think we are definitely in control of our lvies overall, we just need to remember to steer it, not just sit in the drivers seat.
I have 2 words this year (which will be my first OLW)...the first is PEACE. I need to find some. Inside me, OUTSIDE ME, in my mind, my home, my constant struggle wtih my creativity--i tend to copy other's ideas instead of going with mine and I end up arguing wtih myself, I want to carry less guilt, less worry for everyone and everything around me (the kind of worry I can't do anything about), everywhere in my life needs more peace (not quiet, PEACE).
the other word was going to be Balance, i feel l need more of that, but I think Peace incorporates the elements of Balance that I 'require' more of, so my 2nd word will be Focus.
I want to Focus more on my life. On my children and the magic that they bring, on the positive in my world (not the negative which can REALLY take up a lot of headspace), my fortune--I have friends, family, a WONDERFUL husband and children, my dream job, possibilities, hopes everything. i want to FOCUS on the good and I want to Delight in it.
I CANNOT WAIT to see what you do with 'light'. I Love love love that word.
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Hi Ali, my OLW for 2011 is commit. This word actually chose me. THe minute I saw your class posted I knew I wanted to take it and the word just came to me and it's been lingering there so that's the one.
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My word for this coming year is HEALTHY. I have tried to find a 'fancier" word...but this one just keeps coming back to me. I had a rough start to 2010 health wise and this new year I want to fix that. I want to be HEALTHY physically,mentally,spiritually, AND financially. I have never had a word be so persitent in the few years I have been doing this...so there it is!
Denise is Maine
I really like looking at HEALTHY from this perspective.
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HEALTH
I've been thinking about a word for a few weeks now and couldn't come up with one that I really thought I needed---and today it just popped into my head as I was reading your post. I have a few issues going on so 2011 is gonna be the year for good HEALTH!
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IGNITE
This word just kept popping into my head...so I'm going with it!! Looking forward to the One Little Word Class. Happy New Year
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I think my word will be rhythm - meaning patterns and recognising the changing flow of each month and of the year; of creating and establishing a rhythm for the various aspects of my life. I like the metaphor aspect and movement.
The alternative is 'establish' - more straiht forward but it also has lots of meaning for 2011
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My word is nourish. I'd been reflecting on who I wanted to become inthe coming year(s), and this is the word. I've chosen words in past years, but never has a word hit me so strongly.
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My word is HAPPINESS. I plan to spend 2011 connecting to the good things and happiness that are already in my life. I am currently reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and hope to connect my word and the concepts in the book.
Sara,
I LOVE The Happiness Project - great book. I considered HAPPY as my word but have decided on FOCUS. I will be rereading the book though to get me on my "FOCUS-track".
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My word for the year is 'develop'....there's so many ways I want to develop myself....but also practical projects I want to develop as well.
Thanks for the inspiration...have also joined the class...am really looking forward to it.
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Peace. With myself. With my family. With my job.
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My word for this year is INTENTIONAL. In my relationships (marriage, my children, friends, family); with our finances; in caring for our home; in my relationship with the Lord. I am considering your class as I'd like my word to become a bigger part of my life than it has in the past.
Great word!
cheri....may i encourage you to take the class!!! it will be great.
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My word for 2011 will be: "LIVE" as I found myself spending to much time and living in my comfort zone and sometimes have the feeling as is life is zooming by while I am sleeping....and therefore not being aware of what is going on in real life.
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My word is "Should" - it chose me when I read a post on the daily digi - I need to decide to do something or not do something, but not look back with guilt or regrets. I should be the one making the choice and I should not let others make the choice for me or make me feel guilty that I didn't chose what they wanted.
http://thedailydigi.com/stop-shoulding-on-your-scrapbooking-giveaway/
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