One Little Word 2010

I am a fan of welcoming the new year with open arms. I love fresh starts, new opportunities, clean slates, possibilities.

Back in January 2007, as a way to celebrate these beginnings, I started a public tradition of choosing a single word to focus on over the course of the year.

Many of you are familiar with this tradition and have been joining me in selecting a new word each year. If this is your first time reading about the idea of one little word I recommend taking a few minutes to read my original post here.

Here's a look at my words from the past three years with links to the original posts.

2007 : Peace [ read my post for 2007 ]
2008 : Vitality [ read my post for 2008 ]
2009 : Nurture [ read my post for 2009 ]

Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.

Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year.

Whatever word you end up with, make sure it is your word (not your sister's, mom's, partner's, child's, etc). You can share it publicly or keep it close to your heart.

My word for 2010 is STORY.

I'm planning to do a post with more details on my thoughts about this word on Wednesday (look for the finishing pages of my December Daily tomorrow). I am hoping to use my word as a springboard for a variety of different projects and inspirations, in my life and my scrapbooking, over the next 365 days.

Have you chosen your word yet?

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669 thoughts

  1. Jana D says…
    12/29/2009

    I think VISION is my word. I can accomplish anything I set my mind to with a VISION. I need to do many things that I have been putting off. 2010 is the year.

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  2. .SandyB says…
    12/29/2009

    My word is Hope. Our 7 week old daughter passed away in October following complications from her heart surgery. In those 6 post op weeks, all we had is hope. Hope that she will survive. Hope that she would heal. Hope that she could come home. And for 2010, I hope that we can start to heal. I hope that with time, we can start to move forward.

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  3. Kim says…
    12/29/2009

    I read this post yesterday and was intrigued. I thought about it and wondered if my word would reveal itself and I was shocked that this morning it did at my yoga class...
    HEALTH... and how much the word health can and will encompass. I am excited to see where this will lead me and my family in 2010. Thank you for sharing. Kim

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  4. Urska says…
    12/29/2009

    We are expecting a second baby in February. Our first one will be almost five by that time. As we know having a newborn will be a challenge and there will be adjustements I am picking SERENITY as my word. I want to sail through 2010 light, serene and take everything as it comes. Stay serene through whatever gets thrown our way. I am printing the word and putting it on the fridge for a daily reminder.

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  5. Gabi says…
    12/29/2009

    My little word for the next year is CHALLENGE. We plan to move across the whole Canada so this big move will be challenging for sure. But before that we have to sell our house, pack it by ourselves(we don't have any family here, all of our relatives live in Europe), find a new home in Vancouver and start fresh. One challenge after another. We all are looking forward to this big adventure. :)

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  6. amy rehnae says…
    12/29/2009

    believe is my word. came to me instantly upon reading your post yesterday. i immediately blogged about it, too...http://amyrehnae.blogspot.com/. this word is very very significant for me this year not only because i am believing that 2010 just has to be better than the awfulness that was 2009, but that i am learning to believe in myself as a woman and a child of God as i never have before. and i am believing that my family will be restored and a living testimony to what God can do. believing that gets me thru the days. so yes, along with the grace and serenity, balance and optimism (thanks ladies...so inspiring, all of you!!) i will need for this journey, i believe i am right where i am supposed to be right now!

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  7. Olivia says…
    12/29/2009

    A new word--There are a couple I am thinking about right now. The first one is HOME: on Novemeber 3, 2008, we lost our home of 20 years to a devastating house fire. We lost almost everything. But we had neighbors and family who nurtured and supported us throughout that ordeal. On May 23, 2009, we moved into our "new and improved: home. We have started over, and we are making this new building our home. The second word is PEACE. OUr new home does give me peace. But I am still searching for that illusive peace of mind and find a quiet haven from the sometimes "madness" of everyday life as a wife, mother, and teacher. (Jessica, I would LOVE to hear about your word of the year project with your high school students!)
    I will spend the next couple of days writing and pondering my word of the eyar for 2010.

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  8. Amber D says…
    12/29/2009

    My word for this year is DEDICATION. I want to dedicate myself more to keeping a neater home, losing weight, and practicing more as an archer... which I haven't had time to do in the past few years but used to be pretty good at!

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  9. Trista Hertz says…
    12/29/2009

    My word is Shine, inspired by a song my 3 year old sings at preschool. I feel like I've lost my Shine in the past couple years, to taken with my two little guys to take much time for me. But I'm going to Shine again in 2010!

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  10. Tammy says…
    12/29/2009

    I remember when Anna was born you discussing 'nurture' as your word for the year, but I wasn't sure within what context you meant.
    After reading through your post and the comments the word that I will be using for 2010 is 'Stretch'. When I visually see the word I immediately stretch my neck, my arms, my back - which are usually stiff from working on my computer, etc. . .
    In addition to visually reminding me to stretch and feel the wonderful muscles God gave me I will be focusing on 'stretching' my ability to physically challenging myself by completing my first 5k in honor of my 35th birthday, by stretching every dollar so we are able to move into a more spacious house by the time my daughter starts kindergarten, and by stretching my abilities to use God's grace when dealing with difficult personal or professional situations.
    Happy New Year!

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  11. Lynne says…
    12/29/2009

    I had a word...saw some great ideas...almost changed my word (there's always next year)...and decided that I need to focus on the positives more so my word is...GRATEFUL.

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  12. Laurie Hausler says…
    12/29/2009

    Mine will be "Do." I need to move out of the observing stage (where I seem to have sat out most of my life) and into the doing stage - I cannot wait to see the results! Thank you, Ali, for such a thoughtful challenge.

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  13. twitter.com/senorabotija says…
    12/29/2009

    My word for 2010 is PRAY. I recently returned to God after being away for some time. For me 2010 is about rebuilding that relationship and having it permeate through my family and my actions.

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  14. Lori Huggins says…
    12/29/2009

    I love the idea of thinking of a word to focus on next year. It came to me yesterday that I want my word to be SIMPLIFY. I've been thinking for the last few years that I want/have/need too much stuff. I want this year to be a less is more year. Less food, less spending, less time for "others" and more time for my own family.

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  15. Courtney says…
    12/29/2009

    Courage is the word for 2010. I too, have been a follower from the beginning of one little word, and it has made a difference in my life in combination with all of the other things I have been doing to live a better life and love myself. Thanks for being an inspiration.
    One of my first things to do in connection with this word is to make my own copy of the "courage" dictionary definition cards that I make as a part of my crafting business: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6849094&op=3&o=all&view=all&subj=84334547946&aid=-1&oid=84334547946&id=702085477

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  16. Jen Davis says…
    12/29/2009

    My word this year is: listen
    There are so many ways that I can take this word and apply it to this coming year. I need to slow down, take time, really make a point to listen. To nature, people, society, my family and myself.
    This is my first time choosing a word, thanks for this prompt Ali!

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  17. Sandie Conry says…
    12/29/2009

    There are so many words that I need in my life right now. I've been in a state of mourning and depression for about 3 years due to my brother's progressively debilitating illness. He passed away in September and I'm left with sadness and a neglected life in chaos. It's time to get out of my funk and get my house in "order". I could call it simplify, accomplish, productivity, purge, and a host of other things. But the word order feels right...if I have order in my life, I believe the rest will be possible.

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  18. nitasha says…
    12/29/2009

    I adore your site Ali...I'm always learning something new...This year was my first time to do a December Daily and I'm loving it! So grateful for this- I've documented so many little things that I usually don't take the time see!
    2010 will be my first year for a word too!!! And my word is Freedom. It means so many things...In 2010 I plan to, No, I WILL be free from indulging in food, free from debt, free from my self-imposed limits, and free to give and receive love to my family, friends and to others without worrying about being hurt. 2010--Freedom!!!

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  19. Susan Hessler says…
    12/29/2009

    Just read this book and it is awesome - right what I needed, right now. I've been quoting it to my friends constantly. We all need a good story...

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  20. Shannon says…
    12/29/2009

    Thank you Natalie, for that warm fuzzy!

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  21. lynne moore says…
    12/29/2009

    My word is Health. Healthy family, healthy me. "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is not." "as long as you got your health....," as my grandma's used to say.

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  22. Juli Jones says…
    12/29/2009

    My word for 2010 is 'Intentionality'. (being intentional)
    This word keeps coming back to me and coming back to me so I knew immediately what my word would be for this new year. I want to be intentional with the way I teach and raise my kids, with my marraige, spiritually, financially, creatively etc... so many things. I don't want to just be going through the motions but to be intentional in all that I do.

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  23. Kimberly L.C. says…
    12/29/2009

    2008 - Contented
    2009 - Thrive
    2010 - Hope
    The past two years, and in particular, the past 11 months have been pretty bad and during a very revelatory conversation with my husband I told him that I felt like I was losing hope which is SO unlike me, so we came up with a plan to improve what we can in our lives, bolster our faith in God, and restore my hope in what is possible. So, HOPE it is.

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  24. Jennie E says…
    12/29/2009

    My word for 2010 is FINISH.
    That means, first and foremost, that I want to finish my master's degree as scheduled in August. Ideally, I'd like to finish the job I have now and start a new one. Closer to crafting, though, I'd like to finish all the unfinished projects I have going now. I'd also like to finish using up all the supplies I have before I go out and buy new ones.
    Finishing what's cluttering my mind and my house will hopefully let me start fresh.

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  25. Kathleen says…
    12/29/2009

    I have been choosing a word with you for the past three years and it has been a very cool thing to connect with throughout the year.
    For 2010 I am going to live with the word SIMPLIFY.
    I am going to simplify my clutter, my life, my dreams and just be :)

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