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 word in 2010 was REDUCE and it worked well - we were able to reduce the amount of things we had that were simply taking up space (and our storage unit that was taking up $$)...
Somehow a word never took root in 2011...
But for 2012 our family word is FINISH. We've become really bad at leaving things unfinished, not putting our things away, and letting things pile up. So, we're going to work together to FINISH each and every day with clear surfaces, dishes done, etc... Maybe one or all of us will even finish a race or two this year as well.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I hesitate to tell people my word because some might think the wrong thing about it. My word is "Pleasure". Nothing in life brings my pleasure. So I'm out to change that. I don't care about anything or anyone. I just feel dead inside. So maybe this will help.
Amanda--
Wishing you the very best of pleasure for 2012!!!
Amanda, I am much less concerned about your word than about you feeling dead inside. If you are not talking to a professional, you may want to consider it, and if it gets worse, let me know -- marydelrey56@msn.com. Been there, done that.
Hi Amanda - I hope your word helps you this next year. I highly recommend reading the book "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin - it may help you find the little things in life that bring pleasure. Good Luck!
I will think about you and your word. I hope you discover & experience great pleasure this year.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, I love your word. It's simple but speaks volumes and I love that.
My word for 2010 was vitality and I loved it... it help me to breathe so much color and positive life into my everyday and like many others have said it will stay with me going forward.
The word that I have chosen for 2012 is GRACE... and I can't wait to start my journey with it.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for this year has been treasure though half way through the year I felt like I should have chosen trust. I was originally going to have trust be my word for this next year & then the word light chose me. It was shortly after I accepted the word light that I realized that I was struggling with depression again. It has been a difficult year & I am looking forward to finding LIGHT in 2012.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My OLW for 2012 is do.
For the last two years, my words hope and dream have been on the more thoughtful side. I've spent a lot of mental energy and contemplation on seeing my life in the best possible way, consciously identifying and documenting my dreams for the future.
Now is the time to DO.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word of 2012 is: Laugh. ;)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word finally came to me this past Saturday. It is simply "Do". I've always got a to-do list (plans, projects, goals, etc.) in the works. In 2012 I am going to concentrate on my commitment to following through and DO these things. The 5 definitions of this word fully encompass what I am envisioning for my life in 2012.
I continue to pray for you and your family Ali. Thank you for an amazing 2011 with OLW, and I'm looking forward to Jan. 1st and beginning 2012's journey with you & the rest of the OLW family!
Also, thanks for the link & discount code to Aby's class. It sounds just like what I need to help me get a jump start. I'm going to check it out further.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is intentional, for many reasons! I am excited to take part in this journey and to see where this word takes me in 2012!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is EASY. Simplify, enjoy and take it EASY. Try to let go of the self critic and take it EASY on myself and my loved ones. They are often doing their best too. I often think I have to be struggling and "feeling the burn" for something to be worthwhile, but I would like to give myself permission to enjoy things that are easy too.
Thanks, Ali, I plan to sign up for your OLW class. :)
Blessings to you in 2012 and keep looking UP!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is going to be "hopeful." I was trying to decide between hopeful and reflect - and I think hopeful is a perfect fit for my feelings and emotions right now.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
my word is JOY as in looking to have more in my life! I will be looking for joy in hidden places in my life
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Need to establish more "order" so that I can enjoy great things that are in my life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'm choosing "tend." Definitions of tend include:
listening, serving, taking care of, looking after, my favorite: to stand by in readiness
I love these definitions because "tend" is inspired by Charles Bukowski's "The Laughing Heart." In 2012, I want to be on the watch, to notice and listen and look after both myself and my heart but also others. I love that tend is derived from Middle French tendre, meaning to stretch, extend. And that this is also where the word tender comes from. This is important because it expresses my goals 2012, to stretch my mind, extend my heart, to be ready (meaning open) for whatever comes my way.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Trust
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is "Happy", I've decided that I'm going to stop looking for happiness (particularly in other people) and just BE happy. It's a wonderful life and I'm not going to let anything stop me for enjoying it anymore, whether it being self-doubt or lack of confidence. "I refuse to be anything but Happy"
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Simplify
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is STRENGTH. There are certain areas of my life where I need to be stronger. I am going to focus on them with my OLW in 2012.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali I have follwed your blog for a couple of years and I am impressed by your attitute and your ability to lend us a hand to "tell our stories". Your latest unhappy event and the way your dealing with it has made want to take your class. My word is healthy- in mind body and spirit. I am excited to embrace my word and all that it will bring. Thank you for being you, your appreciated.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
2012 is "changes" and it came to me when reading thru OLW's December prompt. I am trying to embrace the changes that I have been fighting against and also settling into the changes I just let happen. My OLW music list for 2011 ends with the song "Changes" by David Bowie. So that is where I will begin.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali,
My word this year is "changes" because our family grocery store has been sold and I am staying on with the new owners. So, I know this will be a year of many many changes! We have had our store in operation since 1952 with my Dad and brothers.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Last year my word was Courage and with Ali's class it really helped me. This year I am thinking about intent. Assume good intent, be of good intent.....
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali,
I love the movie UP! The quote you've chosen is perfect! It also includes my one little word which is NOW. When my life's got too busy because a lot of changes happened in the past few months, I want to live more in the moment. To stop postponing stuff all the time, learn new things... not next year or one day, but NOW. I can't wait to see where your word will lead you the next year. All the best!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Walk. Walk is my word for 2012 as well as these past few weeks of December. I introduced it to Revive and they like each other's company. Walk as in the action verb but also as in walk the talk, being in sync with 'walking in step' others and where they are, why they are doing or feeling as well as with myself.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Season is my word for 2012!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love your choice of UP. What a great choice! I'm not 100% settled on my word, but I think it is going to be CELEBRATE. I'm turning 40 in 2012 and plan to celebrate not just on one day but with a year of new experiences. I want to celebrate all the things in my life that bring me joy- my family, friends, home, accomplishments.
I think celebrate is a great word, how awesome to celebrate this time of your life. The 40's have been great to me and I've learned so much about myself and tried new things. Just reading your comment has me wishing I'd chosen this word, will keep it in mind for next year.
Good luck on your journey this year and hope the 40's will be amazing for you.
Sign in or sign up to comment.