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.
i absolutely LOVE the quote that Steph used on her blog by Christian B. Larson -- hope she doesn't mind if i borrow it -- :D
it seems to say EVERYTHING I couldn't find the words to say -- oh and my word is LIVE -- this year I want to REALLY LIVE for HIM (CHRIST) and for my family and even for ME some too:D
thanks so much for the Challenge
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Oh man, just reading the comments, there are so many good words out there. So many words popped into my head: PATIENCE, BALANCE, STRENGTH, LET GO, CREATE, DREAM, etc. But I kept coming back to EXPLORE. Yep that about sums it up for me.
Awesome!
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I've seen this word has already been chosen a few times, but its for me as well: TIME
I think having a child caused time speed up in my life! Time is getting away on me and I want to catch more of it, savour & cherish many more moments this year. Time is a gift!
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thanks for the inspiration! Here is my blog entry:
http://kellystroud.blogspot.com/
love 2007 (inspired by Ali Edwards' AEzine)
The new year is here... traditionally a time of fresh beginnings and resolutions for many. Even though I don't consider myself to be a "resolution person" (I have never been one to vow huge changes to begin at midnight on Dec 31st), I still can't help feeling the desire to give my current goals a boost each time January rolls around. This year, as always, I am anxious to continue working toward my many long term goals, but I also want to try something new- in 2007 I want to focus on one centralized theme in everything that I do and say. I want to tie all of the little moments of my daily life into one goal, one word. And that word is "love"- loving God, myself, my family, my friends, the people I will meet this year, books, crafts, travel...I want to focus my attention and efforts on the endless opportunities for love in my life. I want to learn how to love more, and love better. In a world where I divide my days into those that went well and those that did not, the days that leave me feeling dissatisfied always seem to come from a lack of love- either I spoke or acted without love towards another person or I am unhappy with the way I've been treated by someone else. By focusing on "love" I plan to create a happier world in 2007 for myself and the people near me.
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i have nput a fair bit of thought into this...my word is..breathe..thanks for making me reflect on what i want for myself for the year!!
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Our computers at work were finally working today and I got my new AEzine! Woo Hoo! I've really missed it this past month.
Sue
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I have to admit, I'm stealing your word "PLAY".
It truly is the right word for me at the right time.
All work and absolutely no PLAY is making me a very sad cranky girl.
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LOL I want PLAY too, but also thinking about JOY, will ponder this some more!
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tuesday a dear friend & mentor whispered into my ear 'trust your instincts' & that is sticking with me...this year TRUST it is...
thanks, miss ali:)
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My word is MOVE! I have been a little disgruntled at work so, my word is to MOVE on, MOVE away, MOVE up or just to MOVE and exercise more. Maybe evn to MOVE my attitude and get over my issues at work. I will see where the word "Moves" me this year. Thanks for making me think here. Sherry
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TRY popped into my head as soon asI read your Azine. TRY not to annoy to many people, TRY to live in harmony, TRY to exercise, TRY to continue with my diet, TRY to walk over the Auckland Harbour Bridge while taking part in the Auckland Half Marathon, TRY to create a garden, TRY to learn/do new things that I have been scared/afraid to do. Thanks Ali, I'm going to give it a TRY.
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Ali, thanks so much for the inspiration you are to so many of us! My word for 2007 is FLOW. As in "go with the flow". I can be too controlling over many aspects of my life, and I need to just let go of that control. I want to react and respond better to daily situations. I need to be able to rearrange my schedule if need be. I need to just go with the flow and not get caught up in my own expectations! This is especially relevant to me this year because I have a toddler and am pregnant. I will most definitely go with the flow more when it comes to my kiddos!
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My word for 2007 is HAPPY.
I want to be HAPPY in 07.
I want to live HAPPY.
I want to love HAPPY.
I want to see HAPPY.
I to create HAPPY.
The word HAPPY is going to be put everywhere in my life this year including the car, bathroom, and wherever a sticky note will stick.
Thanks ALi for the inspiration!
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This one was hard for me because there are two words that come to mind. My resolution for the new year is to have more PATIENCE and FAITH. I really struggle with these two things. I want to learn to just relax and remember that I am not the manager of the universe and I need to let things happen according to God's plan. I'm still trying to decide between the two words though.
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Thank you Ali for the inspiration! This year there will be so many changes for us and so with a joyful, expectant and positive heart I choose for my word:
renaissance (with a small "r" LOL)
So here's to a renewal of life, vigor, interest, rebirth; revival, new hope, second spring, rejuvenation!
Peace to you!
Angie
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This is definately a challenge I am going to take this weekend. I've finally decided on my word and will link my creation when I have it done. My word is NOW.
For too many years, my word has been "when" As in, "When hubby finishes school..." "When I get a better job" "When the boys are a little older" "When this bill is paid off", and the thing is when never becomes NOW.
Well this is going to be the year of NOW because I'm tired of waiting for When.
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Balance is the word for me this year!
Thanks for all the inspiration Ali :)
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My word is SATISFACTION. Being satisfied with what I have, being satisfied with who I am, and with my choices. I need to work at this, so this is the word that came right to me. I pondered a few others and still may focus on some other "mini-words" for different areas of my life...but my overall word is definetly SATISFACTION. I am at PEACE with my choice this time.
Thanks for your AEZine article. I was inspired as always, and so glad for your challenge. It was pretty cool that this word came to me so quickly. Thanks Ali!
Lindsey
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I've been pondering this since yesterday. No words seemed to fit. But I couldn't get "change" out of my head for some reason. Change is my word. I'm still chewing on it, trying to figure out just why that word seems right, but change is my word for 2007.
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Fresh. "Fresh" is the morning, or a new chapter, or a new day. "Fresh" can be in the middle, or the end - "Fresh" is where you begin.
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I already started journaling my word on my blog. http://cavsfanatic.blogspot.com/g....
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As I was watching my 10 month old explore her environment...it hit me...EXPLORE....that is my word...explore photography...explore being a wife and mother...explore a new craft...explore my faith...explore everything...this is such a great way to start the new year...I am so excited about this that several words come to my mind...I like the word MINDFUL too! Is it cheating to have two words? Hope not..Thanks for such a great challenge...you are such an inspiration.
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WoW! I LOVED everyone's words. I think the word I'm going with for 2997 is FORGIVE! I typically do not hold grudges. Especially if I was the one offended. But I need to forgive everyone. It is required of me. I will work on that this year. But I loved lots of other words like LOVE, ACHIEVE, PERSPECTIVE, BALANCE, ACTION, COMMIT, DISCIPLINE and ENJOY. So I am going to make a word book. Love it. Thanks so much for the inspiration. This goes perfect with my AY2R class with Miss Heidi Swapp ;)
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I always have one word going through my mind when I scrapbook. I used the word Cherish a lot last year. Lately when I scrap and look at photos of my family and kids i think of happiness.
Happiness will be my word this year!
Awesome challenge!
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I love the way that you connect with so many of us. It's an amazing gift that you have!
My word for the year is RELAX. I need to stop thinking 5 years ahead and concentrate on 5 minutes ahead.
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