One Little Word® 2015
My One Little Word® for 2015 is give.
The process of choosing a word, or letting it choose me as is often the case, is always interesting. For me it often starts around October - words begin popping up here and there via reading or conversations or overhearing something on the radio. I tend to do a lot of listening and thinking and trying each one on for a minute or two or a couple days or longer.
I know there is no perfect word, there's only choices and paths and possibilities.
This year the word give showed up in October if I remember correctly. It came in more like a whisper - some years my words have been so loud as if they were making it so they couldn't be ignored.
Give began with the idea of giving to others and the question of what is it that I currently give. I'm pretty sure it was sparked by my trip to Washington DC to attend the ONE Campaign's AYA Girls And Women's Summit. There was a shift in my thoughts and a vivid reminder that it's not just about me and my own stuff - it was such a powerful opportunity to reflect on my place in the larger world and become educated on some of the issues facing girls and women in Africa.
Over the last few months since it first made itself known, my thoughts about the word give and what I want to focus on in 2015 has evolved which is something I always welcome as I choose a new word. Give, for me, is so much more than the process of "handing something over."
Give love. Give kindness. Give time. Give patience. Give to others. Give to myself.
On a certain level, the word give for me is rooted in connection and openness and awareness and willingness. What do the people around me need? How can I connect with them through the process of giving of myself? Over the last year I've lost some of myself in work and the transitions and I want more than anything to reconnect to the things/people/places I most value.
Another level/definition of the word give is the idea of bending and being flexible. It's a nod to living in the gray areas and working on lessening my constant grip on the black and whiteness of things. My ability to be black and white is at the same time very much a strength in some areas and a weakness in others. Discerning the difference between when to give and when to hold firm is something I'd like to explore this year.
The third level of give for me is in giving to myself. Giving time to myself. Giving patience to myself. Giving kindness to myself. Giving love to myself. I like the combination of the connection with others and the connection with myself. It's an opportunity to fine tune and get clear and make choices that align with what I care about most.
I'm also interested in exploring give up, give away, and give in - all three of which I see as positive steps/ideas vs. the negative way they could be taken.
I'm looking forward to experiencing a new journey with a new word in 2015.
PS | That awesome little whole heart pocket talisman is from my dear friend Liz Lameroux's shop Soul Mantras. Check out all her lovely offerings here.
PSS | Listen to Elise Cripe and I chat about One Little Word® on her latest podcast episode here.
SHARE YOUR WORD THE COMMENTS
I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2015. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. Next week I’ll combine all the words into a single post – it's become tradition and super inspiring to see all the words in one place.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word®, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
JOIN ME
To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one creative prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. Registration is $5 off until December 31.
I am new to the group and I am so excited to be a part of this awesome village! I have chosen the word "FEARLESS." This year I will unleash my inner warrior spirit, move out of my own way and allow myself to be ME!
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I have chosen FOCUS to be my word of this year. I feel like I have a lot of goals and changes ahead and I need to remind myself to focus and look at the bigger picture.
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My word for 2015 is CAN, because I can to change me and my life
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My word for 2015 is CHOOSE. It jumped out at me when we did the "real story" prompt in September, and it stuck. I'm so excited to see where it will take me!
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My word is TRUST. This is the first time I have joined your class. I talk about on my blog: http://cindyswainson.blogspot.com/2015/01/trust-one-little-word-for-2015.html
xoxo
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Ali, Give is a special OLW so globally-aware while incorporating service leadership. You might be interested in my OLW-LISTEN and my poem introducing it. http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2015/01/celebrating-my-one-little-word-to-kick.html
Here is an invitation to write for Winter Whisperings, a global gallery of artistic expressions:
http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2015/01/ringing-in-new-year-with-look-back-and.html
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This is my first year of OLW!!! My word found me before I had even made the decision to do this. My word is ACTIVE and has consequences for all areas of my life with my desire to actively live and engage with my life and not simply roll with the punches... I want to be more active in the personal, professional, family, and physical aspects of my life. I want to be proactive and not reactive.... I am looking forward to this journey!!!
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Soooo.. my first year and i have been dragging my heels settling for just the ONE word. Thanks to Ali's advice I have now stopped stressing about "perfect" and instead went with a word that will encompass my supporting words for the year. I decided at the end of last year that i needed to be braver, have more trust in myself, be less timid, open my heart and mind to life and experiences more.. i need to get out of my safe zone and learn to accept challenges and life as opportunities rather than facing them with paralyzing dread. A tall order for just one word.. i want to be more adventurous, learn more, worry less.. so, i am happy to share my new ADVENTURE called life in 2015. Thank you Ali for giving so much to us all through this workshop.
:) Best wishes!
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Soooo.. my first year and i have been dragging my heels settling for just the ONE word. Thanks to Ali's advice I have now stopped stressing about "perfect" and instead went with a word that will encompass my supporting words for the year. I decided at the end of last year that i needed to be braver, have more trust in myself, be less timid, open my heart and mind to life and experiences more.. i need to get out of my safe zone and learn to accept challenges and life as opportunities rather than facing them with paralyzing dread. A tall order for just one word.. i want to be more adventurous, learn more, worry less.. so, i am happy to share my new ADVENTURE called life in 2015. Thank you Ali for giving so much to us all through this workshop.
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Happy to have stumbled onto this. My word will be INTENTION. http://jewishspecialneeds.blogspot.com/2015/01/inclusion-is-never-accident.html
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My word for 2015 is inside-out. I decided on this word sometime in late November/early December and was feeling really good about it. I have realized this past year that I spend a lot of time thinking (worrying) about how others will view me, and that slows me down. Instead, this year, I want to bring the inside out - say what is inside without worrying so much about how it will come across. I need to do a lot of writing in my job, and I am hoping that this will help me produce more.
I did some dictionary work with this word and started to have second thoughts. I don't want the disheveled connotation that comes with inside-out or the perfectionist stance of knowing something inside and out. But I kept wanting this word, defending it even when I was having second thoughts. So I turned to google images instead and found this quote:
"You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul." --Swami Vivekananda
I was sold.
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My word is Stretch. I've been living too much in my comfort zone. Stretch, to expand my engagment in all areas of my life (work, relationships, intellectual and creative pursuits). I've been walking a path of least resistance. Safe but little growth. Stretch to lengthen and grow my body/health. I work from home and don't move enough in my day. A gentle yoga class would be lovely. Stretch to unroll the comfortable blanket that's left me closed so I am open to new possibilities. 2014 held a lot of loss of people (deaths) and things that my day to day life is dependent on. My 2014 word was Intention. While I was more intentional in my day to day choices I actually did a while lot more reacting. And protecting by closing off. So stretch is my word as I move out and up and around. It's time to grow and I need to stretch to do it.
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My word for 2015 is 'commit'. I commit to stay, to trust, to be authentic, to finish, to start, to BE….
Leaning in to life with how it shows up, I commit to BE.
My word for 2013 was Commit! It was a great word for me. I think you'll get a lot out of it!
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My word for 2015 is CLEAN. This is the first year I'm doing this and wanted to start to clean things out of my house and out of my mind! I'm ready for a cleanse!
Sounds exciting! Best wishes.
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I am thinking about the word "possible". I need to believe more things are possible in my life. This sounds like a great way to get some personal development going in my life. I am going to sign up!!
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A friend told me to check out what you are doing and I'm glad I did. My word is "choices." http://tinyurl.com/kg8qjlo
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STRIVE - to devote serious and sustained effort....
I will strive to be a better mom, a better wife and better to myself.
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My word for 2015 is hygge!
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I still can't decide: Unfold is resonating with me. Or Embrace or Evolve. Trying to let it happen.
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My word will be START
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my word is GROW - excited about the OLW classroom Ali! Happy 2015!
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embrace.
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My word is CHOOSE, this year I choose to count blessings, I choose to believe that wonderful things await me and I choose to be open to whatever life offers. I choose happiness! Thanks Ali. Happy 2015 :)
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My OLW 2015 is BECOMING
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Marking my place.
Empower(ed) (ing)- Because 2014 was an incredibly difficult year. It is empowering to deal with things with dignity, grace, humor, and it is empowering to say no when needed, and to not let others walk all over you. Sometimes doing the right thing does not make you the most popular person, but there is a freedom that comes from within that makes you powerful and strong and a true warrior when you can lay your head down each night knowing you did your very best. When you can look yourself in the mirror, or into the eyes of your loved ones (ESPECIALLY your children) and know you lived that day to its fullest and in the most honest way possible. Because it is empowering to be truly happy with yourself just the way you are.
I can't believe I missed it by 26 minutes!!!!
No worries - happy to add your word!
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