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, 20122013 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.

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523 thoughts

  1. supercooper says…
    12/29/2014

    This is my first year doing this project and I am looking forward to it - if not a little bit apprehensive as the word I have chosen is "Courage", as I want to stop shrinking away from life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. suethoenes says…
    12/29/2014

    My OLW for 2015 is ACCEPT. I have never been able to do this. I can't seem to accept "what is" and move on. I will work hard on this during 2015. Thanks, Ali, for all you do. I am so excited to work on my OLW this year!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. PluckyMomo says…
    12/29/2014

    HOME.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Divinemsq says…
    12/29/2014

    MOTIVATE

    I have so many things I want to do, to be, to accomplish. I just need that kick in the butt. Hence my OLW - MOTIVATE

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. grizfans says…
    12/29/2014

    FLY...I believe this will be the year for me to spread my wings!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. robyn_karsten says…
    12/29/2014

    "Be"

    Be patient: with myself and my heart
    Be adventurous: "open" (my OLW2014, not ready to say goodbye) to new/different/scary experiences
    Be enough: I AM enough
    Be mindful: of the story I tell myself (self talk is so powerful/destructive)
    Be vulnerable: It's okay to fall and skin my knees
    Be authentic: be the best version of ME
    Be committed: to doing the hardwork
    Be present: don't be blinded/focused on the goal or end result...be in it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. iscrapmyworld says…
    12/29/2014

    TRUE.

    The first part of TRUE for me is about being authentic. Not comparing myself to others or trying to be anyone but me. And being 100% ok with that.

    The second part if TRUE is to stop ignoring things or making excuses...and examining the why of things. What is the reality of the moment?

    The third part of TRUE is about cultivating my authentic relationships. I Often take my "trues" for granted - and I feel that especially in this last year where I experienced the loss of my mom, I withdrew more than I deposited in these very special and dear relationships.

    I'm so excited for this year - and Ali I love "give" - it's powerful and strong and kind.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ximena says…
      12/31/2014

      I love why you chose this word.

  8. Ljoque says…
    12/29/2014

    Light.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. IsabelMS says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is Flow / Fluir(Portuguese)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Carlaconroy says…
    12/29/2014

    Believe,
    It speaks to me saying ANYTHING is possible just BELIEVE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. cathy0536 says…
    12/29/2014

    HEALTHY in mind, body and soul! Going to be 40 this year and want to be feeling good for it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. pammc says…
    12/29/2014

    TRUST
    This word has come up again and again this month, so it will be my word this year. I want to learn to trust God more, to place trust in others and myself. And more than anything I want to trust that the journey this year will be what it is supposed to be. I'm in my 70's which is scary and freeing at the same time. Each day becomes a gift and I want to enter it with trust.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Jpettw says…
    12/29/2014

    HUMILITY.

    My ego has been a driving force for all too long. I need to step back. Be quiet. Listen well. Learn from my mistakes and create a more wholesome self.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Nunusite says…
    12/29/2014

    MAGIC

    I need more magic in my life. I need to make the life magic for others. I need to feel that my life is special. And I need some magic to make my most desired dream come true.

    I can't wait to start with my little word.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/29/2014

      I love your explanation.

  15. lbateman5383 says…
    12/29/2014

    love your word. your reason. everything about it. awesome read.
    still working on "nailing down" my word. ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Brhammel says…
    12/29/2014

    SIMPLIFY

    This word has been speaking to me for the past few weeks. Our church is doing a sermon series titled Simplify and my women's group also chose this as our topic for our first Bible study. It seems like the word is surrounding me and almost hunting me down! I haven't participated in OLW before, so I am looking forward to the journey!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. lylyxwoman says…
    12/29/2014

    CHANGE

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. thebeautyinsimplicity says…
    12/29/2014

    TRUST

    Trust the unfolding of your life + your story. Trust that when things go wrong, it's to redirect you not derail you. Trust that courage + vulnerability are still essential to meaningful living even if it doesn't always led you where you believe it will. Trust in yourself + trust in something larger than you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. thebeautyinsimplicity says…
    12/29/2014

    TRUST

    Trust the unfolding of your life + your story. Trust that when things go wrong, it's to redirect you not derail you. Trust that courage + vulnerability are still essential to meaningful living even if it doesn't always led you where you believe it will. Trust in yourself + trust in something larger than you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. fleursbydesign says…
    12/29/2014

    HEART

    I need to listen to my heart in 2015

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. peanutshell says…
    12/29/2014

    HERE

    This is the first time I've really picked a work to think about for the whole year but 'here' jumped out at me as soon as I considered the idea. Lately I've found myself frequently planning or worrying or fussing over things that aren't too important at the moment and probably wont be too important in the future either. I want to remind myself to keep my mind in the here and now, to enjoy and observe my growing daughter, to spent time with my family, and to not worry about things that aren't important right now.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Betheroo52 says…
    12/29/2014

    FORWARD. I am ready to move forward with my life, to stop dwelling on the past and the way my life used to be. I am ready to move forward with building my new house and moving out of state. I am ready to move forward with my life and with my art.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. emym says…
    12/29/2014

    AWAKE

    AWAKE early in the morning to celebrate "me" so I can be awake and aware of my place and others throughout the rest of the day, become re-energized.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Klbchum says…
    12/29/2014

    My word is DISCIPLINED. As in "I need to be more disciplined in all I have to do, need to do and want to do. I have set some goals about how I want to live in 2015 and how I want to treat others and myself. I must be disciplined so that I can reach not only my goals-but really my full potential! That is the goal!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Laraco says…
    12/29/2014

    CHOICE for me. I want to be more conscious and accepting of the choices I make, and be brave in recognising that to achieve goals I need to change the choices I make.

    Reply 0 Replies

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