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. Jennie M says…
    01/04/2007

    I've chosen
    FEAR
    It stops me from doing so much, as my blog http://jenniemcalpine.blogspot.com/ will show over the year.
    Can't wait to sink my teeth into this one. It was in my mind before reading your newsletter, just didn't know what to about it untill after reading your newsletter, So Thank you :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. steph says…
    01/04/2007

    You never stop inspiring me, Ali...
    My word for 2007 is: Change.
    We need lots of that around here...

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jude says…
    01/04/2007

    CALM! My word is calm. I will not get worked up by work, school, home, kids, husband, demands, no time, always in the car, etc. I will walk through it all with a sense of calmness! Or at least I will try!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Missy K says…
    01/04/2007

    Ali--
    Love your inspiration, and this concept! My word for 2007 is GRACE-- experiencing it from God, extending it to my husband, my kids, and the world in general, releasing perfection to drink in grace.
    Thanks for the venue to think this through!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Kim says…
    01/04/2007

    My word is now my blog banner......

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Ann Marie says…
    01/04/2007

    MOVE
    :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Tracey says…
    01/05/2007

    My word is going to be ART... I have sooo many art books, postcards and inspiration to use that I seem to forget about. I will be making a suitable arty wall piece this weekend, can't wait!! Thanks for such a good idea Ali... and how awesome was Simon's prayer, so adorable!!
    Tracey xx

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. liz says…
    01/05/2007

    HAPPINESS
    i need to find it in my everyday, work, home, children etc.
    thanks

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Karol says…
    01/05/2007

    Just blogged about my word the other day. My plan is to SIMPLIFY my world. Hoping to do a layout a week that helps me represent how my life is becoming more SIMPLIFIED. Love your inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. melanie says…
    01/05/2007

    Done my little word layout on my blog. LOVE this idea. my word this year is 'do' being so apt for the year I have surgery, travel further than ever before, and make every effort to take part, be in pictures (instead of behind the camera allllllllllll the time!) and get out more. Thankyou so much for my inspiration.
    http://britgirl.typepad.co.uk/

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  11. Scrapdolly says…
    01/05/2007

    This is a fabulous idea and I am definitely going to try and make my word my focus.
    I have blogged about it so it is public knowledge now therefore I MUST TRY!
    Thank you

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Diane says…
    01/05/2007

    Hi Ali...my word is HEAL. 2006 into 2007 are filled with many changes, sadness, depression and anxiety. I look beyond this to the good stuff I hope is waiting at the end of all of my life changes. Then it will be time for my healing process to begin. Thanks for motivating us. Diane from Cape Cod

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Lisa H. says…
    01/05/2007

    Wow. So cool. I thought of my word right away as soon as I began reading the blog. CALM. Calm inside, outside for him and them (my family). I'm loving this. I feel a journal entry coming on. Thank you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Aimee says…
    01/05/2007

    Great challenge Ali!
    My word is HEALTH.
    Healthy mind.
    Healthy body.
    Healthy family for 2007.
    Thanks for the inspiration. You are a light in the world.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Rebekah says…
    01/05/2007

    My word for 2007 is: BALANCE

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. PamMc says…
    01/05/2007

    This is a timely challenge for me as I've been thinking of this year that is so fresh and new. My word is simplify. It is my desire to purge my home of 'things' that I have accumulated which no longer have meaning or use and to search for the core of my desires so I can use my time well.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Stacy says…
    01/05/2007

    My word is CREATE. We're having a baby this year. :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Sara Frankl says…
    01/05/2007

    My word is TRUST. As my health worsens and my abilities are challenged, I have to trust that I am where I am supposed to be and serving a purpose I may not even realize. Whatever happens in the future this year, I am going to trust that God brought me to it and will bring me through it. TRUST.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Italiangirl says…
    01/05/2007

    JOY--always have loved this word and I've adopted it as my mantra for 2007. I've decided that I will find JOY in all that I do this year and all the situations that I face. Too often I'm bogged down with what isn't right or how awful something is.
    BTW: DH would rather I adopt "organize, clean, declutter" as my word, but it's my word, and not his. I do plan on doing the other things, though, as I'm sure they will help me to find some JOY.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Andrea D says…
    01/05/2007

    most definitely JOY. i had an awesome Christmas season and can't even imagine how it is going to change my life as i try to keep the "holiday" perspective throughout the year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Jamie says…
    01/05/2007

    Thanks for the article... I loved your 2006 word of play. My word for this year is RISK. I have some big plans for 2007 that require me to take a chance to support my dreams.
    So while RISKS can sometimes seem so dangerous, I need to remember that without them we wouldn't do anything exciting, now would we?
    Thanks for the motivation Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Kristina says…
    01/05/2007

    Simplify is my word, Ali. Live simply. Simply live. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Susan says…
    01/05/2007

    While PEACE is a word I am sure we all aspire to, the current situation in the Middle East a very large part of my life, I have chosen another word that speaks to me from deep in my heart on a very personal basis - GRACE. I encourage everyone to look for grace in every moment. I believe that the power of this word in particular can have a great impact in life. Have a blessed day. Susan

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Jennifer McNeely says…
    01/05/2007

    My word is Joy. We want to plan a vacation for our first anniversary and also have a baby this year, but if neither happens, then I don't want to be disappointed. Also to find joy in the little things. I already do that, but I will try harder this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Kim Bolyard says…
    01/05/2007

    Ali,
    I sent you an e-mail about your wonderful news letter and "one little word". I also posted on my blog about it and I borrowed you work "play" I have been using the word peace...all last year. You can read more about it on my blog. I am going to a crop tonight and I plan on working on a layout with me and my new work 'play' will share that on my blog tomorrow. Thanks so much
    peace
    Kim

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