One Little Word 2012
Poster print via Poster Inspired.
My word for 2012 is up.
It came to me one day last month while I was working in the kitchen and the kids were watching the movie Up. My initial connection to the word stems from the part towards the end where the old man is looking at the scrapbook his wife made and a note she wrote to him at the end which says something along the lines of "Thanks for the adventure. Now go have a new one." (Found the clip here.)
That's the attitude I'd like to be working towards and embracing in 2012 - giving thanks for the things that were great about my marriage and then moving forward and welcoming whatever is coming next.
Up | ready, eager, open, awake, into a happy mood
There were so many words I could have chosen for what I want for myself in 2012. This one simply feels like a good starting place. I will also be carrying three of my past words close to my heart again in 2012: light, story, and peace.
Are you considering selecting a word for yourself (or letting one find you)? 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 2012. 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 days I'll combine all the words into a single post - super inspiring to see all the words in one place.
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, 2010 and 2011.
Above is an image of all my prompts from my album that I made for my One Little Word class at Big Picture in 2011.
Registration is open for 2012 and you're invited to join the journey.
Each month you'll receive a prompt with a simple creative, writing, or photography 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, 2012.
TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY | Simplify 101 Online Workshops
Regardless what word you select, choosing a word means you want to make your life even better than it is today. The very essence of One Little Word is improving your life, which is why this online workshop is perfect for you. It gives you the foundation, ideas and inspiration you need to dream about a life you love, plus concrete action steps to help you make it happen! Use code: ONELITTLEWORD through January 6, 2012 to take 15% off any simplify 101 workshop (may not be combined with other offers). ABOUT SIMPLIFY 101 | Founded by Aby Garvey, the co-author of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, simplify 101’s mission is to make getting organized fun!
My 2012 word is "Enough" as in the phrase/mantra "I am enough" i have experienced a profound sense of personal understanding recently - brought on by multiple losses over the last few years. My words have helped me immensely. Enough chose me. I know i am in the middle of growth and this is a critical piece for me to understand and embrace. My previous words Strength, Fit, Dynamic and Grace have been building blocks to now and will remain in my heart.
Oooo Sharon, my word is Enough too! I hope we can share the breadth of enough!
and Sue B, should you decide. Last year my word was courage. I have been slowly and painfully recovering from "severe and chronic depression" -- who knew? Courage was the right word for me. This year enough chose me too -- being enough, having enough, recognizing when enough's enough.
It's a beautiful word! I thought of this reading as soon as I saw it: http://www.bobperks.com/wish.htm
I haven't settled 100% but I think my word will also be "ENOUGH".
My Mantra has been "I AM ENOUGH" for a while now. My reason for this is that I have struggled with being enough for many years. I want to accept myself and being enough, not needing more stuff (I have enough), Enough is Enough (move on), and so much more.
Thank you Sarah. I really appreciate the information about Bob Perkins. It really struck a note with me. http://www.bobperks.com/wish.htm
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Ali, thoroughly enjoyed the class in 2011 and am doing it again in 2012. My word this year was Balance and it was so great I was going to use it again this year. But my new word chose me - it is MOVE.
I picked move as well!
I have also selected "MOVE" this year. We will be physically moving to a new place this year and I also want it to be a mantra to move more for health reasons...I also hope to use the word to encourage me out of the inertia in many other aspects of my life. Can't wait to get started.
My word for 2012 is MOVE: move more -- make time to exercise on a regular basis despite my job and family demands. I am hoping that this will help me stay motivated to reaching my getting fit goal.
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This is the 3rd year that I've chosen a word and for 2012, my word is going to be "OPEN". I'm excited about the possibilities that await!
Great word! "Open" kept popping up in my life last week so I guess it's meant to be. Open to possibilities, open to potential...Good Luck!
Open was my word for last year - I really enjoyed the monthly OLW prompts in Ali's class for keeping it in the forefront. Enjoy the year!
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stronger
My word is going to be stronger. I want to grow stronger in my faith, stronger in my relationships, stronger in health and fitness, and stronger in my finances.
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*Joy* was all around me one day. A bud vase I saw said "choose Joy", and then my tea tag said "cup of joy"... it was obvious at that point.
My Mom won't likely post here, but is doing the class with us. Her word is *Serenity*.
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SIMPLE.....hoping to simplify my life even more in 2012 in hopes of focusing more on what is important. Too much clutter blurs my vision. I want to start with simplifying my craftroom (I have too much stuff) and move on to simlifying our home.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I, too, am going with the "get organized" theme. I have narrowed down my OLW to release, free, clear or simplify. :-) Looking forward to my very first OLW experience!!
My word for 2012 SIMPLIFY - I saw a quote on Becky Higgins blog and it stayed with me: "The average woman today, I believe, would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to SIMPLIFY HER LIFE, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities. - Bell S. Spafford" My word for 2011 was focus and it helped me to focus on my family and a more healthy life style. This year I want to simplify and concentrate on cutting out all the unnecessary stuff which is cluttering my life, home and keeps me from breathing and being more productive.
Ali and Tammie:
My 2012 One Little Word is: Simplicity
Definition of SIMPLICITY
1: the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded
2 a: lack of subtlety or penetration : innocence, naiveté b: folly, silliness
3: freedom from pretense or guile : candor
4 a: directness of expression : clarity b: restraint in ornamentation : austerity
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Breathe.
Breathe in and out when I run, and empty my mind.
Breathe slowly when students need me to be calm.
Breathe in the small of my children's hair, the smell of the woods early in the day.
Breathe in and out to let go of the grief of my mother's passing.
Breathe to slow my pounding heart when I worry that I all have now is to good to be true, and won't last.
It won't, of course, but it is mine for now.
WOW!! I love what you said about your word BREATHE. It is amazing what power one little word has. I also lost my mother and there are times when the only thing that you can do is just BREATHE. Then there are times when that is even difficult. I hope you have a better year in 2012. :-)
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alignment
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my OLW came to me about a month ago - shift.
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I love your word Ali and that movie always makes me cry. My word for this year is "positive". I want to focus on the positive in my life and influence those around me to look at things in a more positive way.
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My word for 2012 is JOY.
This past year, 2011, has been an intense and tough year in many respects and I am ready to lighten things up a bit. I think that I often take things too seriously and I have a habit of putting off opportunities for experiencing joy until I feel I have earned it.
Because I am not likely to choose Joy over more serious pursuits, JOY has chosen me. I can't wait to see what this shift in perspective might lead to in the upcoming year.
Joy seems have chosen me too. As I read your post, it sounded a lot like my own life. Hopefully we both can learn to lighten up and seek more joy in our lives.
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SAVOR...I want to savor the precious moments I have with family and friends. I have really been struck this year by how much is missed because we are always rushing to the "next thing." The next thing is no better than the thing at hand but in the rushing and seeking, the present is lost. The moments and opportunities with those I cherish are so precious and are definitely worth savoring!
Savor! Love it! Can I have 2 words? :) perhaps I will save it for next year!! Thanks for the inspiration and good luck to you!
Awesome one word- Savor. Your reason is even more on point with what I want my new year to look like. Thanks for sharing.
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mine is 'perseverance'
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My one word for 2012 is Believe! The word found me a couple of months ago, first while reading, then a sign I was given, then while shopping with my Sister, it was everywhere! I have submitted to Believe........in myself and all I can bring to the world around me in 2012!
I picked this word too, good luck to both of us.
My OLW is also believe. I wasn't sure what it should be and then it just whispered to me. A day or to later I received a couple of mailing with BELIEVE as the motto. Seemed like a confirmation. And it keeps popping up in other areas of my life too. Here's to BELIEVE.
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Totally agree with Rebecca's comment!!! My word is JOY. The last two years has been full of unpleasant health issues for my Mom, my husband and me. We've spent a fortune at hospitals and days at doctors' offices and now we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, with all three of us feeling much better!
My word is JOY because that's what I want, it's what I need, it's what I deserve!
Can't wait to get started!
I've registered for the class already, but I was thinking of making One Little Word part of my Project Life book... Any opinion? do you think that would work well?
Tina, I think that sounds like a great idea! You could mix in your prompts throughout the months, splitting them up or adding in a seperate spread, or maybe have one spot every two weeks or so set aside to reflect on your word. Good luck to all of us!
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Emerge is my word for 2012. The past year or so has been challenging. I am now ready to "emerge" from that time. Can't wait to see what emerge brings to my life. Loved your class last year so signed up for it again...
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Intentional. I want to live with intention. Life is short and yet, has so much to offer. I wrote about it here - http://www.jennymeyerson.com/uncategorized/my-2012-word-intentional/
And I think your choice is perfect. What a blessing and a gift to look for the good in your marriage.
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The word JOY chose me a few months ago. It was showing up everywhere as I was struggling with other issues. I think it picked me so that I can be more open to find joy in more places even while other parts of my life might not be where I would like it to be.
I love your word Ali! That part of the movie UP was my very favorite part. It made me a little teary even. Looking forward to sharing our journeys in 2012!
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I am retiring my word of the last 2 years, but will keep it close as it has done so much for me. That word was FAITH. The new word is BATHROOM. We have a bathroom remodel project that we just can't seem to get going and I want to get it done in 2012.
Jena, I'm going to love watching your journey!
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"deserving"
I love this! This word is full of gratitude and self-loving. :)
YES!! deserving! i was looking for a word to express the path i am on - one of loving and accepting myself completely. at first i tried on the word acceptance, but i wanted a richer, deeper, more active word. in reading here, i found the word BELIEVE. yes, that's my word. and a big part of that is believing that i deserve my love (and lots of other stuff). enjoy your word.
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For 2012 the word that is speaking to me is GRAVITY. I can't let go of last year's word balance, but I am excited about where gravity will take me. Thank you Ali for sharing your talents with us.
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My word for 2012 is "focus." I have enjoyed doing OLW this year and am looking for to repeating the experience.
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From the book titled "10 Mindful Minutes" by Goldie Hawn, I've chosen the word Mindful. Mindful of my attitude, mindful of my blessings, mindful of letting anger control my words, mindful of my faith, mindful of my reactions to things I can't control.
I'm really looking forward to a New Year! 2011 will likely be remembered for more bad than good; I will be mindful to do what I can to make this year different!
This is my 5th year with OLW. I chose Mindful. Thank you for the inspiration. Also checking out the books you have mentioned. I've neglected my marriage lately (2 kids, job, etc) and really want to be mindful of that relationship as well as other things in my life.
I, too, have chosen mindful after narrowing down my list. I tend to be a "busy-body" about life and find myself thinking about the next thing while I'm doing the first thing. I guess that's how busy moms are but I hope to be mindful of my actions, faith, family and all areas of my life. This is my first year doing OLW and I'm really excited about it.
JoAnn
Steph,
Great word. So much of what you said applies to me also. I am going to check out the book. I also read about being mindful in anything you are doing. Just put your focus on that one thing at that time and don't think or do anything else at the same time. :)
I also am considering MINDFUL as my word, also from my recent reading list. I am reading Buddism for Mothers by Sarah Napthali. I have a two year old and a 6 month old and this word works for me as a focus on what important rolemedel I want to be for my girls. Last year while pregnant I chose MOMENT and loved that word as a reminder to live in the moment and enjoy the quickly passing moments of a tiny baby at home. Ali, thank you for OLW inspiration, book suggestions, and being such an honest, inspiring person.
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I think my word for 2012 will be OPEN. Last year my word was JOY and I really enjoyed the class. Looking forward to doing it again.
Jill, that is a great word! Good luck with your journey this year.
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My word is pray.
My family will continue to experience many changes in 2012 and I want to remind myself that there is so much power in prayer.
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