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!
The word BE has been resonating with me over the last month. After my year of SIMPLIFY, I feel ready to just BE. Be present. Be thankful. Be happy. Be me. Just BE.
Looking forward to another adventure with my OLW!
Thank you for the daily inspiration! Best wishes for a wonderful year of all things UP Ali! You deserve the best!
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My word is PREPARATION. I want to be prepared to get fit, get organized, and get the most out of life!
Good luck to us all! Happy 2012 - may it be a great year!
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My 2012 word is real.
re•al adj. 1. Real describes something that is true and authentic, genuine; or something is very important or significant. Not artificial. (adjective)
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I am glad that everyone is sharing their words. Since I heard about the idea - hearing about words and the reasoning behind them is something that I look forward to this time of year!
This will be my third year with a OLW, and I have chosen gratitude. For the first year I will be keeping a scrapbook to go along with it. I posted more about my word and the scrapbook here: http://www.enbuscadeequilibrio.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-olw-and-album.html
It will be my first year doing the class - so excited. Since I already had another scrapbook format idea, mine will be different than recommended for the class, but I was glad to see that you (Ali) encourage that flexibility. I am most looking forward to the class helping me stay focused on the word in a more consistent way. I also just signed up for the Storyology class.
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I just finished up my 2011 album last week. It was a great experience doing the projects last year, and I'm definitely jumping in again in 2012. I'm grateful for everything you offer us, Ali, and in fact, that's my word for 2012, GRATEFUL. Ever since it picked me a few weeks ago, it's been everywhere.
Hugs and wishes for an amazing, wonderful adventure in 2012.
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For me it's "focus". The older I get, the harder it is to stay focused on certain tasks, not because I don't want to, but because I want to do it all. I'm going to try and focus on doing one thing well instead of 5 things not so well!
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My word is "stand".
I was driving to work and I heard the Lenny Kravtiz "Stand" song. I've heard the song before but on that particular drive to work, it really spoke to me.
The lyrics: Stand, up again
Come on, stand,
Stand, you're gonna run again
This spoke to me as I recently fell off the exercise wagon. I would love to run again. I want to STAND for what I believe in (stop being pushed around). I want to STAND and face my fears/weakness. I want to STAND through troubled times.
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my word is 'shine'.
It was actually my word last year but, for a variety of reasons, I wasn't able to do it justice so I'm giving it another go this year.
Love the word and I'm looking forward to fully embracing it this year - signed up for your 'One Little Word' class last week :)
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Oh Ali...you are so inspiring, couragous and brave! Thank you for sharing. You and your family will have a challenging road ahead but it will all be UP-lifting with your positive spirit at the helm!
I'm taking your class for the first time, (wanted to last year but thought I'd be too busy), and I'm very excited. My word is "scatterjoy". It's sort of my nickname and I use it to sign my artwork. I'd like to use it in all aspects of my life, it makes me happy.
What a cool nickname for you to use and have it as your OLW. My word this year was ART which has gone really well for me. I've recently decided to use my OLW for next year to sign my art work also. Would love to see your artwork? Do you blog about it or have a site or anything? Would love to see it, you can email me at rikm@adelphia.net
Good luck on your word and your journey!
Dawn
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Love your word. I'm still waiting for mine to find me--none of hte ones I've thought of feel quite right.
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Focus is my word for 2012! I want to focus on spending quality time with my 2 boys, focus on capturing the memories in the form of project life/document 2012 and focus on what is great in my marriage and making new adventures with my husband as we've only been married for 18 months!
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Hope is also my word...hope that my family has a much better year...hope that my uncle takes to his bone marrow transplant in January....hope that my best friends family has a better year ahead as well....Hope that things will get better for myself...Hope that my health doesn't get any worse...Hope that I will find that someone special :)
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I chose the word "Eliminate" we have been using this word for the last few months and it has really inspired us. We love running around the house shouting "Eliminate!" when we take something out of the house...so, much fun!
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My word for 2012 will be Less. Not just less stuff or less clutter, but less worrying, less overthinking. I'm sure I will think of more of what Less will mean to me in the coming months.
Can't wait for class to begin in just a few days. I think this year instead of the full size album, I'm going to document my word in a minibook. I learned last year, there are so many ways you can do the monthly prompts and I'm excited to do something a little different in 2012.
If anyone is considering taking the class, my One Little Word project and class experience is being featured on the Big Picture Classes website. If you are a member, it's under Inside Access once you log onto your account. I can't say enough good things about it!
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Do
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I'm still trying to see which word finds me. Rest seems to be coming up - although some of my past words seem to be popping into my head - joy, renew, seek, hope...... I think Rest will be 2012's first word (I tend to end up with two through out the year)
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It's going to be act. I'm so good at planning, and at having the intent to do something. This year I am going to act on those.
That's going to be my word, too! It's time to get ideas out of my head and "act" -- not just think about it!
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My One Little Word for 2012 is "Ahead." I'm often told that I live life based on the past. It's a temptation for everyone I think. I want my outlook, decisions, and relationships to be based on what is ahead and not what is behind me.
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I loved last year's class even though I didn't manage to keep up with it. When I started thinking about next year's class I thought I would like to procrastinate less so I started researching the opposite of procrastination. What I found was surprising and it rang true immediately: discipline. I kne I had found my one little word ;D
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My word for 2012 is FOCUS.
I have been trying to launch a work-from-home business and find that I suffer from lack of focus. The daily tasks of taking care of my kids and my house interrupt my daily tasks of getting my business off the ground and vice versa. I want to focus on my family, my relationship with my husband, my health, my fitness, my friendships and my memory keeping. Seems like a lot but I know that through your class I can break it down into manageable portions. I can't wait to start!!
See you in 2012!!
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2011 was cherish for me and 2012 is going to be faith
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Great post Ali. I haven't chosen my word for 2012 yet. I just wanted to wish you a very wonderful year, even though it seems like it may not be the easiest for you...
I was one of those people that would never notice anything was going wrong in your family and happened to read that post about changes in your life just recently. I'm so sorry for all you have to go through. Honestly, it affected me so much that I couldn't even leave a comment, I just sat and cried... I pulled up some old magazines and looked through your StudioA columns... those were a perfect pictures of a happy family...
You inspired so many of us! I know, many of us wanted to be Ali... but life is so unpredictable and things that we don't expect happen without notice. If you stay close to Lord he will never leave you. And I'm sure He has something wonderful already planned for you, even though it's really hard to see right now.
Very best wishes to you and your little family this Holiday Season and let the New 2012 Year be one of the best years for you yet! We love you and pray for you.
Your long time follower, Anya.
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My word this year is Write...to take the time to write more letters, send more cards, leave little notes for those I cherish, to record my stories and my family's stories...
love this word, great idea and I'm sure it will make others happy to get hand written letters/cards from you. Have fun with this word and your New Year!!
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Dare - 2012
Dare to resolve my fear of flying.
Dare to begin a new career adventure.
Dare to let go of self-imposed limitations.
Dare to open up to life's possibilities.
Dare to be present in each moment.
Dare to know myself better.
i like 'dare' a lot!
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Ready.
For 2012, I'll be getting ready for what's next because:
1. I know it will be big and
2. I know it will be good
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