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.
My word is Shed. I did blog about it, but I am also planning on making a mini album of the goals I have achieved through the year that go along with my word. I have yet to work on the album but you can read my post at http://shannonsscraps.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much for a great challenge! I love the idea of a word for the year!
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Thanks Ali for inspiring us to think about a concept to focus on. My word is Balance, inspired by the word And, you can read about it on my blog. Peace to you Ali.
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My word is CARE. This year I have resolved to take better care of myself, to make an effort to care for the earth by getting "green", and to embrace the fact that being a working mom is, in fact, caring for my family.
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Perspective is my word for the year. I am going to try and see things that really will matter in the future not just today/
Thanks for doing this.
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Embrace....that is the word for 2007.
embrace what we have, embrace what you are, embrace others.
it has been said 128 times already but thank you for the constant inspiration.
you empower so many.
Aimee Porco
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I've been trying to decide between a couple of words that immediately came to mind, but just scanned the blog and see some others that I can completely relate to. Decisions, decisions....Thanks for the inspiration. I definitely like the idea of focusing on this word and seeing how I can incorporate it into my life during the course of the year. You're so clever...
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This is such a great idea I think my word would be STOP xxx
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Grow.
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My word--I think--is *LIVE*...
-to the fullest
-instead of just *existing*
-instead of just *coping*
or else *POSSIBILITIES*
-to really BE what I want to BE
-to change and grow
-to GIVE and to HELP and to SHARE!!
OOoooo, I just love the feelings BOTH of these words evoke...
hmmm...I'll have to decide huh?
Thanks for a MOST AWESOME idea!
Love ya' Ali!
Mary Ellen
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My word this year is going to be OPEN. Be open to change, open to new experiences and new people, open to what life has to offer me.
Reading all the comments has made me warm and fuzzy too. There are so many great words. I especially love embrace. Simply beautiful . . .
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I had already done my Resolutions when I got your newsletter. And after reviewing them, I noticed a theme. ENRICH. I am going to take this year to improve and learn new talents and skills and enrich my life. Thanks for the inspiration!
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my word is LIVE. my last year was very much about getting through things and healing from a surgery gone bad and corrected, and now from post viral fatique after getting the flu in November. and I just want to live, to not be trapped by how tired I am all the time - to actively live in spite of that, for my beautiful little girls, and my husband. I know I may not be as active as I once was, but I do not want to be as incapacitated as I feel sometimes -
I want to be an active participant in my life - I want to LIVE my life.
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My word is TRUST. Not so much in others but in myself. I need to trust my decisions and not second guess them. Sometimes I wonder if I am making the right choices and decisions on raising my 16yr. old daughter, am I being too hard, too mean, too leniante, I need to trust in myself that I am making the right chioces and decisions.
I'm glad you put this out here for us!!!
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Serenity is my word for this year. After the year we had last year, that is what I want this year. Besides I like the way it sounds.
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Ali, great idea, my word for the new year is BELIEVE...I believe I can do anything this year, get out of det., move to our own house,read my Bible every day, I believe I can do anything this year. I just need to put my mine to it and get busy. Looking forward to all you can teach me this new year.....
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My word for the year is Believe. I even blogged about it.
http://treasured-creations.blogspot.com/2007/01/believe-ali-edwards-challenged.html
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Fun challenge! My word is "balance." I can't wait to do a scrapbook page about it!
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My word for this year... DISCOVER. Thanks again for the creative inspiration. Great direction. Great concept.
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What a cool challenge - really made me think.
I've decided my word for this year is COMPROMISE. I have a tendency to be so rigid and a perfectionist in some things and often want things done my way. But I'm realizing my way is not always the right way or the only way.I'm hoping to learn to let go a little, let others make some decisions, give in on some things, and just go with it. It will be okay!
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I love this concept, love the idea of meditating each day on a way of life I want to follow. My word is EXPLORE. Myself, my family, my relationships, my career, my world.
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breathe.
i tend to freak out when it comes to certain things. so i want to remind myself to breathe. relax. take things slowly.
thanks for the inspiration.
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I'm pretty sure my word is going to be
APPRECIATE.
It's the one I keep coming back to and is the one that will get me through the year's challenges and make the joy and blessings even sweeter.
Valerie, lovin' this
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after much searching and picking and discarding of words I decided on FOCUS. I have so much I want to do that I end up doing nothing as I don't know which to do first. I need to pick ONE thing each week and FOCUS on it!
thanks!
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After lots of thought my word for 2007 is "restore". Thanks for the inspiration Ali!
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STRENGTH.
thanks, ali.
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