One Little Word | Community Member Feature

From time to time this year I'll be sharing stories from people who are embarking on the One Little Word workshop journey at Big Picture.

My hope is that their stories will inspire you as you make your own word visible in 2012.

Today I'd like you to meet Liana, Jessica, and Rebecca:



LIANA


BIG PICTURE SCREEN NAME | LianaJ
2012 WORD | Explore

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS WORD | I have a passion for geography, maps, and learning. I’ve always been intrigued by the white spaces on maps, places I didn’t know. These places aren’t necessarily traditional locations. They can be anywhere including my childhood, my family, my heart or my head.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST HOPES FOR 2012? I want to seek out and fill in more of the white places in my life.

HAVE YOU DONE OLW BEFORE? IF SO, WHAT IMPACT DID IT HAVE? This is my first class. I have admired Ali’s work forever and I’m so excited about this project. Thank you for bringing it all together.


JESSICA


BIG PICTURE SCREEN NAME | craftychicgirl
BLOG | www.craftychicgirl.blogspot.com
2012 WORD | move

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS WORD | At first I struggled choosing a word.  I wanted a word that would inspire.  So I began to think about my life, the good and the bad.  I've always struggled with procrastination in my life.  It never fails that I will have this great list of things that I want to accomplish and yet I will always put them off and then they never get done.  I wanted something that was the opposite of procrastination.  I looked for a word that would inspire me to put things into action.  So I looked up the antonym to "procrastinate" and made a list of all those words.  Every time I would look over that list, the word "move" would jump out at me.  The more I thought about it, the more I liked it and it just felt right for every aspect of life.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST HOPES FOR 2012? This year I really want to learn how to live my life to the fullest.  I'm tired of watching my life just pass before my eyes and at the end of the day wondering what I'd accomplished.  It's not just about marking the big items off the checklist but it's about enjoying the moment and learning how to be content at the end of the day.  And each day I want to remember that not only are mornings a fresh start, but each second of every moment is a fresh start - another chance for me to truly live and make a difference.

HAVE YOU DONE OLW BEFORE? IF SO, WHAT IMPACT DID IT HAVE? No, I have never participated in OLW.

REBECCA


BIG PICTURE SCREEN NAME | Free
2012 WORD | Go

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE THIS WORD | I saw a picture on Pinterest with the words 'Let it go'. I couldn't get this phrase out of my head and so my word became 'go'. I suffer from anxiety and 2012 is the year I want to control my thoughts, not let them control me. Every time a negative thought comes into my head, I want to 'let it go'. This year I also want to make regular exercise a priority. Like most women after having children, we have little opportunity to exercise even though we know how beneficial it will be. If I am feeling tired and unmotivated, I hope my word will help me - GO.

WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST HOPES FOR 2012? Like most people, I want peace, health and happiness for my family and friends.

HAVE YOU DONE OLW BEFORE? IF SO, WHAT IMPACT DID IT HAVE? No. After my local scrapbook store closed down I really missed the inspiration from their regular classes. I looked online and found Ali's blog in time for 'A week in the life' 2011. I have been following her blog ever since and I'm looking forward to experiencing 'One little word' this year.

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13 thoughts

  1. slmnontec says…
    02/14/2012

    This once again shows how our words seek us out. I felt like I needed to be prepared for the not so pleasant things that were most likely to happen this year (Dad's terminal illness, beloved old dog, etc.). When I chose OPEN I felt my soul/spirit adjust. It was a bit bizarre.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Kim H. says…
      02/14/2012

      I love your word OPEN. My mom has a terminal illness, so your comment touched me. Peace and blessings to you!

  2. Melissa Szalai says…
    02/14/2012

    I have been following your work since about 2006. I am on the your website more often then not. Each day is an inspiration. You know how to connect with others and yourself. I find tranquility in simple memory keeping which I have learned from you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. sharon says…
    02/14/2012

    I applaud all of the above comments....its is apparent we all have a connection to each other....maybe not exactly but htan that is what makes life and humanity so blessed and extraordinary!!

    sharon

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Paula G says…
    02/14/2012

    I love reading about everyone's motivation and inspiration regarding their OLW. My word, hopeful, has come in handy on almost a daily basis since 2012 started, in ways I hadn't expected. For instance this week I am awaiting pathology results that will let us know more about a spinal tumor my mom has. I have been hopeful that it's not a reoccurence of soft tissue cancer, and I have also been hopeful that if it is the worst news, that I can accept it with grace as I help mom. I have gained alot more perspective in a short time from my word than I had anticipated.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Sarah B r says…
    02/15/2012

    To Rebecca: i am an anxious type. Taking fish oil really helps me A LOT! also a great book:Mind over Mood.
    Hope this helps.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Rebecca says…
      02/15/2012

      Thanks Sarah

  6. Sandra says…
    02/15/2012

    I love to read al of the stories in OLW. I am so glad I joined the class this year.

    Good luck girls, see you in class.

    Sandra :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Kim R. says…
    02/15/2012

    This is such a wonderful idea to pick a word for the year! After staring at the screen for the last half hour I've come up with DESIGN. I've felt for awhile that I've been living a reactive instead of proactive life - and so much of what I wanted to accomplish just wasn't coming together, I spend energy, flow and creativity designing layouts, I want to put that same creative focus on me and live by "Design" to have a plan that isn't just a to do list but each part supports the bigger DESIGN I want to create for my life - I so need to Blog about this!! LOL Thanks everyone for the inspiration. Only found Ali's blog recently and I just LOVE IT.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. KSW says…
    02/15/2012

    Thanks for sharing these. Wonderful words from 3 beautful, strong women. Love these.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Brooke says…
    02/15/2012

    Thanks for sharing your words and reasons. Its very clear just how important they are.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Kathy in Quebec says…
    02/15/2012

    Ali, Love how you bring us all kinds inspiration, and make it not about the end product, but about the process that gets you there. Great job, ladies. Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Dionne, the Tea Priestess says…
    03/05/2012

    I've chosen a word for my year in the past but I was looking for a way to be more present with it this year. These stories have really inspired me to join OLW. Thank you

    Reply 0 Replies

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