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. ShirshaG says…
    12/30/2014

    I think I am gonna go with "Experience". Create a better life EXPERIENCE. Use and enhance my work EXPERIENCE.EXPERIENCE the world. EXPERIENCE the arts. I want to live a richer and more fulfilling life, and I think "experience" is an appropriate word to achieve that.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. BeatrizPB says…
    12/30/2014

    MAKE, this is my word for 2015.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Inkfanatic says…
    12/30/2014

    Choose

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. joeynumber41 says…
    12/30/2014

    WHOLE

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

      This was my word for 2014 and I loved it.

  5. Nichill says…
    12/30/2014

    Fly...
    Everywhere I turned I was seeing butterflies...a beautiful christmas gift. from my husband, websites I read and then my daughter had a butterfly land on her hand and stay there for such an age. I captured it on film, so beautiful. I researched the symbolism behind the butterfly, already understanding the transformational symbolism....I toyed with the word grace, wonder... And then I thought about what it would take for me to 'fly' this year, for those around me to fly...to transform with grace and elegance. I am inspired and excited to embark on this journey.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. corinne says…
    12/30/2014

    BALANCE
    it´s my word for 2015

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. boopsnro says…
    12/30/2014

    I loved reading your post Ali. Even though I have never participated in this workshop, I have always chosen a word right along with everyone else at the start of the year and tried to keep up with it throughout. I chose the word GIVE this year too! I feel like I don't give enough time to my kids, or myself, or around the house.. the things that matter. I am hoping this will make me a better mom, wife, caregiver, and a better person overall! Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. KathyDavis says…
    12/30/2014

    My word this year is CELEBRATE. My husband and I are retired and we have 4 grandchildren... In many ways it is just the two of us, again - with these new families all around us. We want to celebrate the family, celebrate the changes, and celebrate our everyday lives together!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Sharonkc says…
    12/30/2014

    My word is REST. I've been having a lot of anxiety and stress lately, and want this word to permeate all I do. I also like that this word means "a place that provides shelter". I want to be that for my family, my daughter especially. Looking forward to OLW!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. mrsb says…
    12/30/2014

    Improve

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. tccba says…
    12/30/2014

    Simplify. I think if I simplify my surroundings and the process in everything I do, I will be less stressed, more able to focus on what is important, get things done as they should be.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. fannyathome says…
    12/30/2014

    Rhythm is my OLW for 2015.
    I want to live in Rhythm (as opposed to balance and/or stressed). I want to find a Rhythm for Homeschooling, a rhythm for sabbath keeping, a rhythm for "me time", a rhythm for engaging and disengaging with others and the world, a rhythm for family time vs. others time …
    I also want to add some rhythm to my life. That doesn't mean to speed my life but to put the music on, to dance in the kitchen, to sing aloud, to play the guitar/piano more, to add more music to my daily life.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/30/2014

      WOW, you have an awesome word and overall approach to it!!! Wishing you a great year with your word!

    2. fannyathome says…
      01/20/2015

      Thank you ScrappinMyHeartOut!!

  13. terihartman says…
    12/30/2014

    I'm super excited. This is my first time participating in OLW although I've been "following" it for a few years. My OLW for 2015 is "aim".

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Beejay22 says…
    12/30/2014

    This is my first year participating and am excited by what changes it may bring. My word is "simplify".

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Bertaipolete says…
    12/30/2014

    My word is Project-50. I'll be 50 in 2015 and I'm going to celebrate,document and enjoy it with PL since 1/1/2015.
    Best Regards from Catalonia.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. LisaT says…
      12/30/2014

      Happy Birthday to us! I will be joining you in celebrating 50 in 2015. May it be our best year yet :)
      Regards from Canada.

  16. laceyweeks says…
    12/30/2014

    Hi Ali- is the content going to be different than before?

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. redheadmomma says…
    12/30/2014

    My word is FAMILY. I can't wait for 2015. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. helenhigh says…
    12/30/2014

    I had a word in mind for many months and just recently, it didn't feel the same as it had when I had originally selected it. So, over the last week or so I've kept a list of words I thought I would use and just now in reading your blog post about the class for a second time the word push came to mind. My word is push.

    This year I want to "push". Never in the physical sense, but push myself. To be better, to get answers, to try things I've wanted to do in the past, but got afraid to do. In pushing myself more, I'm hoping to have a more positive impact on my life and those that I share it with.

    I've admired your "One Little Word" from a far for many years. This year I am committing to doing it.

    Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. PaintPaperStudio says…
    12/30/2014

    my word is ACHIEVE.
    this is my first year doing OLW and taking your class, and I'm so excited (and a little bit nervous) to see how I will make my word work for me :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. joleneol says…
    12/30/2014

    Seek is my word for 2015.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Patricia_B says…
    12/30/2014

    My word is Finish!! I need to Finish everything I start. I need to Finish my craft room. I need to Finish projects that I started years ago. To Finish will be the beginning of a new me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. jubeefish says…
    12/30/2014

    My word for this year came to me this morning. Discipline. It seems harsh, but I realized that I need have more discipline in my life to propel me forward so I can achieve what I want to in life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. nlgeiger says…
    12/30/2014

    My work for 2015 is "engage". There - it's decided!! Off to buy my necklace!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. StayC says…
    12/30/2014

    CREATE

    I know it seems to be a well used word, kinda ordinary...but it's what I need this year. I have found reasons/excuses not to create for over a year. You know...once my room is organized, once it is cleaned, once I get settled in my new job...and on and on. But I miss it so much and NEED to get it back into my life. And not just Creating art, but creating happiness and contentment, creating time for it, creating a new me.
    I'm so excited to be a part of this and look forward to what the year has in store!
    StayC

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. swcarey says…
    12/30/2014

    My word is "embrace". I've been choosing a word with you since 2009 and this year I am also doing the workshop because I really enjoyed "Lens of Joy". Here's my post about this year's word: http://www.careyfamily.org/one-little-word-2015/

    Reply 0 Replies

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