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.
My word is NURTURE. My aim is to nurture myself - take better care of myself by eating right and exercising. I need to be mindful of what I put in my body and push myself in the gym. I need to have a better sense of self worth and more positive self talk. I need to nurture my relationship with my husband - spend more quality time, make an effort, have more patience, be more understanding. I need to nurture my relationships with friends and family. I need to express my feelings, make more of an effort, keep my word. I need to be present in being a mother to my daughter. Pay attention, document the big stuff and the little stuff, stay off my phone, play and laugh more.
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Nurture
Nurture is my word for 2015. I will nurture myself, my family, my friendships. Lots of notes jotted down for this one.
Previous words were 2014 - thrive, 2013- live, 2012- peace, 2011-do, 2010- time, 2009-patience, 2008- enjoy, 2007-organised. I didn't realise I'd played along for so long!
Thank you for continuing to inspire, Ali. Thank you for 'giving' me so many ideas.
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My word is EMBRACE. I chose it because there are some things in my life I need to stop trying to change or ignore.
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Your blog post, and your word, is beautiful, and I look forward to seeing what "give" brings you this coming year.
My word is worthy. I had trouble on and off this year with open, wondering if I'd rushed it. Worthy is the word I think I should have started with. I'm a little scared of it, but yet I think it's time. Bring it on! (I think.)
Thank you. Michelle t
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My word is LISTEN. It got stuck with me after a very good friend of mine told me that she was doing OLW with that word, lucky for me she didn't mind charing her word with me! This is my first time with OLW and I'm looking forward to 2015!
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My word for 2015 is Steadfast.
It started with thoughts of being steady during transitions. I know we'll have a move that is going to be hard coming up this summer. Steady was good, but I wanted my word to be more faith focused, so I began searching scripture and words with a similar meaning and landed on Steadfast. It has stuck and I am loving it more and more as I study it.
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connect
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My word is: Explore.
This word came to me repeatedly when i hadn't even begun to think of "my word".
Explore is a perfect choice because it encompasses many areas of my life where I want to grow and be more open. I want to travel more and explore the world. I want to explore who Kelly is and take steps to becoming a more authentic version of myself which will require some real deal personal exploration. As well, I desire new and meaningful relationships by Mostly, this word will help me take time to explore the people who come into my life and explore where relationships could go; dating, friendships, work opportunities etc.
So...i'm just about to sign up for your OWL course -- my first time. I had a word last year that I kept in the forefront of my thoughts and that word empowered and encouraged me in many ways! I even went to Italy for 2 weeks on a solo vacation; a dream come true!!
I think this word will serve me well after an EXTREMELY challenging Christmas and in the uneasy start to the new year...
Thanks for developing "One Little Word". It's helping so many people grow and stretch into their best selves. :)
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EXPLORE
This year I would like to explore new places and make time for a few fun adventures. I am also looking forward to exploring new ways to keep our home clean and organized. My plan is to explore the features on my new DLSR and learn how to take better photos. This year I'd also like to explore healthier recipes and commitments to move more. This is going to be a great year, I can feel it!!!
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My word whispered to me this year as well. Whispered and whispered and whispered until i couldn't ignore it.
LIGHT
I love light and all it's multiple meanings. I want to be the light, feel the light, give the light, understand the light. I want to be lighter in body, possessions and mind. I want to find what lights me up.
I'm so ready for my year of light
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MINDFUL
This one shouted at me a couple of months ago and no other word has come forth, so ok.
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You explanation of give also makes me think back to the July '14 prompt, so I wonder it the words that impacted you at the summit connected to you so much because of the thinking you had already started related to give.
My word for 2015 is core. I think I will blog about it in the next day or two.
Totally had not connected that but I bet you are right (I had to go back and look).
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CHANGE
I've put myself last these last few years and I want to change that, because frankly, the neglect has been showing and my self-esteem, health, attitude, happiness, state of mind is not very postive ;).
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CHOICES
I need to make more decisive choices rather than just go with the flow. There is power in realizing I do have choices. Making the right ones is the tricky part. Which is why I usually avoid making them. 2015 is going to be a choice year!
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MINDFUL.
I have to confess I wasn't going to sign-up for another year of OLW. I didn't seem to have the same FOCUS (my 2014 word) that I did in 2013. But MINDFUL came to me...I tell myself a LOT of LIES about my weight, my relationships, my fitness. I need to be MINDFUL of the truth (and I did consider TRUTH for a while). Unlike other years, I already have plans, I've done reading, I've got a full-blown Pinterest board, I'm uber excited.
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My word is BUILD. It's time for me to build a life that truly makes me happy, complete with a plan and a lot of sweat equity.
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My one little word for 2015 is JOY! I want to have more joy with my kids and my husband and my friends and just life in general.
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My 2015 word is FOCUS. In 2014 my word was INSPIRE and it truly was with me the entire year even though I missed some of the monthly prompts and I still feel that word, but this year I'm very determined to hit a goal I have been toying with for far to long so as I began to think about words to help encourage me and get me to my goal FOCUS kept coming to the forefront so bring on 2015 and FOCUS.
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CONNECT
i did nothing with my word for 2014. i had not planned on doing a 2015 word but CONNECT has been speaking to me for a couple of months. connecting with family & friends & self.
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Pace
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Choose
This is going to be a year of major change for me. Some I want and some I don't, so I want to be mindful to CHOOSE my path in a year that will probably be difficult.
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PROGRESS
As in step out of the stagnation I have felt in every area of my life and make a move forward, for the better.
So glad I stumbled across this project Ali, you have really inspired me. I am really looking forward to taking this journey with you.
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BRAVE
We have a year coming up filled with a lot of change including an international move for our family. If I am going to make this new country feel like home then I am going to have to truly embrace it along with the language and the people. Those kinds of thing have always been difficult for me. Time to be brave :)
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FLOW, as in go with the flow but also don't forget to fly- make progress to let things go,accept the way my life develop
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SIMPLE
This is the year I explore simplifying my life. Simplicity. Minimalism. Freedom from complexity. I want to enjoy the simple life. I want to relish the small details.
This is the first year I have been completely consumed by my word and actually find myself EXCITED about getting started! I can wait to start exploring how it relates to my life on a daily basis and how I can consciously focus on it and unconsciously let it unfold in the daily details of my life. Thanks, Ali, for such an awesome exploration!
best,
Jocelyn
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