one little word®

The AEzine is back up and running for 2007.

For those of you that may be new to the site, the AEzine is a weekly newsletter that I started last fall. I try to incorporate bits and pieces of creative information and inspiration - geared towards scrapbooking and life (and the concept of life art). You can check out the past issues here. You can subscribe by entering your email address in the box up on the top right of this blog.

To celebrate the new year I wanted to share the one little word® concept which is also featured in this weeks newsletter:


one little word®

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.

Last fall in issue two of this newsletter I wrote about the power of words and gave my top ten tips for getting those words down when you are scrapbooking. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts.

Last year I began a tradition of chosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. My word was play.

I thought a lot about play and what it means to me. I tried to incorporate it more into my everyday and on my adventures out in the crazy world. For me, it was a lot about living without fear - about being more open to experiences with an attitude of playfulness. The word play found its way onto many scrapbook pages and into many stories I told throughout the year.

Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?

It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.

You may be wondering, what in the heck does this all have to do with scrapbooking? For me, words are at the heart of what I do. The photos are a huge part, but the words bring it all home. Often times I will begin a layout with a single word. That word becomes my guide as I create my page. It helps me focus the story I am trying to tell and gives me an instant, easy graphic title approach. How often has a word directed your creativity when working on layouts?

Take some time this week to think about your own word for 2007 and read on for a related
weekly challenge.

And in case you were wondering, my word for 2007 is peace.

weekly challenge

This week your challenge is to create something, anything, that celebrates your chosen word for 2007. Maybe a layout. Maybe a blog posting or a journal entry or a simple post-it note that you put somewhere you can see it each day. Make sure to journal about why you chose your word and what it
means for you - the more you let yourself explore the more benefit you will receive in the end.

Come by my blog and post your response to the challenge on Monday, January 8, 2007. Looking forward to seeing your creations and reading your
thoughts.


I hope everyone has a great day today. And thanks for all the super nice comments on the kit yesterday.

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339 thoughts

  1. Teaque says…
    01/04/2007

    Hi Ali - I knew right away - CONTENT. I think I will do my very first page in my 2007 album about that word. And I will be CONTENT if that doesn't happen until well into the next few months - ha ha.... Thanks for the inspiration.

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  2. Danielle Casello says…
    01/04/2007

    I LOVED the AEzine this month!!I have been trying to come up with my word all day ling and I think I came up with the one I want. My word is Free. Free to live, love and be. I need to remember this word throughout the year and focus on being just FREE.
    (Can't wait to start the lo's!!)
    Thanks Ali-You rock!!!

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  3. Aby says…
    01/04/2007

    Love this ... and I'm freaking out about it, too. Just this morning - before reading AEzine - I was in my very own bathroom thinking about a word for the year. I've never done this before. Must be a crazy karma thing. Yes? Anyway, I have two, one for family and one for me.
    The family word is RESPECT. Seems it is the word that will help us all focus on being better family members. That's the theory anyway. We'll see how it turns out. And for me ... growth ... or perhaps GROW to make it more action oriented.) Anyway ... thanks for all your inspiration and in this case validation ... a word of the year is a good thing.

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  4. Jan says…
    01/04/2007

    My word for the year is "Do!". As in, less thinking, less talking, just DO something! So I got busy and tried to "do" a layout today for the first time in awhile, and I just can't get it right--looks like crap. Sigh. Tomorrow I will "do" it over, I guess, lol.

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  5. Shawn says…
    01/04/2007

    Ali~I haven't read through the comments to see what anyone else was using as "their" word as I didn't want them to persuade my decision one way or another so the first word that came to mind was CALM. I want to CALM everything in my life...that can be used toward organizing or CALMing the piles, time management or CALMing those moments of panic because something didn't get done in a timely manner, not over extending myself or CALMing my personal schedule. This word fits perfectly into my 2007 goal.
    Thanks for your great inspiration!

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  6. Allison says…
    01/04/2007

    I know my word right off without even thinking of it - TIME.
    I didn't really set any New Year's resolutions this year but I want to be better at managing my time. I need to get more done and be more productive than I am. I need to stop wasting my time. So, that is my goal for the New Year.
    And my chosen word (time) also revolves around other aspects of my life that are continually on my mind. I just posted about my countdown to school being out before this. JM is looking forward to finally figuring out where we are going to be going. I'm looking forward to all the new-ness that this (hopeful) move will bring about. So it all boils down to time.
    And I look back on things and I realize how far I've come. I'm so much happier now than I've ever been. I'm a much better teacher now. I'm a better scrapbooker now. I'm a better wife now. JM and I have come so far together too. And thus, all of this took time to get to this point too.
    So, I'm excited to see what all is going to happen next and see what I think this TIME next year! :)

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  7. chanel says…
    01/04/2007

    my word is E N J O Y! but it should also be balance .... it was a hard choice between the two!

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  8. Paige says…
    01/04/2007

    Hi Ali! Love this concept and fits so well with the affirmations I have started doing. My word is PROSPERITY. I wrote a little bit about it on my blog: www.paige.typepad.com
    Thanks for all the inspiration that you supply and Happy New Year!

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  9. Sharea says…
    01/04/2007

    Hi Ali,
    This has really inspired me. I feel like I need to tell all my friends about this concept, because it really is so motivating to find the one word that you want to focus on for the year I already feel like I am gonna get so much more done because of focusing on this - anyways thank you.
    My word is Free - FREE from debt - FREE to find my own style and to create my way - FREE to play more with my kids - FREEdom from all the little things in life that can get you down. I am excited to have a new focus. It's a new year and I am so excited to have given myself permission to be FREE. I'm feelin in the mood to FREE myself from all this clutter we've built up this year. I told you I was motivated.:)
    Thanks Again

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  10. callie says…
    01/04/2007

    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Ali.
    I will be choosing the word Organize. My life is one big pile in every since of the word. My house, my car, how I do things. my scrapbook room. Everything. I am so looking forward to this project. It is wonderful. Thank you Ali

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  11. jen paddack-hyde says…
    01/04/2007

    {simplicity}
    It came to me tonight that this is what I want for this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Brenna says…
    01/04/2007

    Ali this is such a great idea, thank you so much for all the inspiration you give.
    My word for 2007 is LIFE...to live it to the fullest, one day at a time but also I hope that before the year ends I'll have a new little life growing inside me. Someone I can teach and inspire. Thanks again for all you do.

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  13. Heather in Washington State, USA says…
    01/04/2007

    My word is PERSPECTIVE. Life gets busy, chores overwhelm, kids fight and cry, traffic snarls, spills happen, patience runs thin. But it is so important to keep things in perspective, to stop and count blessings, to appreciate what I do have and not pine for what I don't, to realize that even as soon as tomorrow, a broken dish or misplaced shoes won't matter -- but harsh words could haunt my kids for life, and tension could affect my health. I must keep things in perspective.

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  14. shirley says…
    01/04/2007

    Love this!! My word is BLISS! I blogged about it but also plan to update my banner and make a journal for the year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Kim Branson says…
    01/04/2007

    The first word that came to mind was, "DISCIPLINE" - because it's one of my weakest areas (relating to myself - my kids are all grown and my time for disciplining them is past) - that word led to thoughts of procrastination (one of my strengths, unfortunately!). And then - all of a sudden - I saw my word: "DO"
    Time to stop planning, stop dreaming, stop *thinking* and just "DO." The discipline will come in the "DO"ing. I am currently purging and reorganizing our main bathroom - I was already planning to create a clock on artist's canvas to hang on the wall. When I *do* it will be my daily reminder to LIVE my LIFE and not just wait for life to *happen* to me.
    Thank you for the inspiration, Ali -- Blessings on you, Chris and Simon for an excellent 2007 :)!
    Hugs from Alaska - kimB

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  16. maria says…
    01/04/2007

    I got it. My word is CELEBRATE. As in celebrate life. Celebrate all the things you are passionate about. Celebrate love and friendship. Celebrate you! I can't wait to create a page on my word for this year! Thanks for the inpiration!

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  17. Mel Nunn says…
    01/04/2007

    Hey Ali... Cool newsletter!. I have decided that my word for this year is going to be GROW. I am going to grow out of a few bad habits, grow my knowledge and skills, and attend to my family's growth by learning, playing and having fun together. (Also growing my wealth would be cool too!)
    Take care,
    ~mel~

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  18. moki says…
    01/04/2007

    I took careful consideration. Last year was all about ENRICHMENT and I figured this year is too, but less about my relationships and photo career and more about enriching my home life as better mother and house keeper. I REALLLY do need order in my house. Thanks Ali for the inpsiration!

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  19. corinne delis says…
    01/04/2007

    I wish I could say Balance is my word for 2007, but I think time management will be the word for this year and hopefully my word for 2008 will be balance, I sure am goign to work on it.
    corinnexxx

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  20. Suzanne says…
    01/04/2007

    My word for this year is: Simplicity

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Helen Shields says…
    01/04/2007

    My word definitely has to be ACCOMPLISH, yes finally get over the I am to busy, with three litte ones, husband away in the military, move house 500 miles away in 4 weeks and start again it has to be accomplish. Not only looking after and taking care of the above but also to take care of me and accomplish some of my personal and crafting goals.

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  22. Karen says…
    01/04/2007

    ali- i've never written to you before, but after reading what the challenge was i just had too. my word for 2007 is HARMONY... you know like everyone working together to help make peace and happiness... i can't wait to do the challenge. i am out of town, so i won't be able to post it on monday, but i will be posting it. i am so inspired... thank you for all you do
    karen

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  23. Ally says…
    01/04/2007

    Hi Ali Love the newsletter and had my word in a split second - CHANGE. Change in work, moving house, the way I look at life, meeting new people, my scrapping style trying new things.... 2007 is going to be a great year!!!!

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  24. Tara says…
    01/04/2007

    My word is patience...
    I have just had our second child and I want to be patient with both her and ds.
    Also patient with myself if I don't get things done as quickly as I would like - like housework - instead take time out to spend with my children or a bit of me time instead.

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  25. Karen Wiederhold says…
    01/04/2007

    Simplicity (is Freedom)
    This is my affirmation for the year. Simplicity allows freedom in creativity, work and life. Freedom is breathing space to enjoy, experience, explore and relax more. Getting back to the basics and appreciating the space and peace.

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