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. Denise K. says…
    12/29/2009

    My word this year: FOCUS
    That is what feels right in my gut. Been thinking lots about that word today.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Veronica says…
    12/29/2009

    Wow, so many words to choose from. I have been contemplating a few of them. I like Choice, intentions, prioritise, but in the end I have settled on ACTION. I am rather lazy at times, in all areas of my life and all the good intentions have not changed that. I need to chose action and prioritise those actions. One at a time.
    This is my first year doing this. Thank you for the inspiration Ali.
    Happy new year from Australia. :)

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  3. mary says…
    12/29/2009

    My words for the past three years have been journey (2007), grateful (2008) and experience (2009) - and one big lesson I've learned from all of them is how fleeting time is. I have some big changes coming up in my life this year (I'm retiring, younger daughter graduating high school and moving out for college, older daughter moving across the country) and TIME is going to be my word. Making sure I'm being intentional with how I use it...and making sure I enjoy the moments because they won't be coming back! REALLY enjoyed reading everyone's words...thank you all for sharing.

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  4. Debbie says…
    12/29/2009

    We have the same word....and isn't it amazing how it fits so many situations? I would never have picked it (I was considering the 4th word in the Simple Abundance list) but it found me as I read through the comments...and now it seems so perfect. Good wishes with your focus in the coming year.

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  5. Debbie says…
    12/29/2009

    We need to form a "FOCUS group" to keep all of us accountable to our word for the year.
    I love your listing for applications for the word.

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  6. Miranda says…
    12/29/2009

    My word for this year will be commitment. I have to commit things to myself. Have to commit myself to do things different in the new year and hope I can stick to it.
    So for me it is COMMITMENT.

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  7. Debbie says…
    12/29/2009

    Welcome to the "Focus Group"...you can do this! Just focus :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Debbie says…
    12/29/2009

    Have you noticed how often the word "focus" appears when others talk about their word??
    The word found me...and it just feels so right.

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  9. Amanda Susan says…
    12/30/2009

    my word is MAGIC.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Kristi says…
    12/30/2009

    So well said!!! I was considering this for my word....I love how you put it!!! thanks for sharing and inspiring!!!
    This is my first year for this....I am knew to your blog Ali- but I've gained soooo much!!! thank you!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. jess says…
    12/30/2009

    This year the word immediately came to me: DOCUMENT. It is a scrapbooking goal. I seem to get caught up in the process with my own fears and I need to move forward. This word inspires me now and hopefully will redirect me in the next weeks and months to come.

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  12. HeyKay says…
    12/30/2009

    My word for 2010 if FEARLESSNESS. I am committing to living 2010 without fear and stepping up to my full potential.
    Ali, thank you for this opportunity.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Andrea says…
    12/30/2009

    Okay, I've stalked Ali's blog and others that inspire me to create long enough and now I feel the need to finally take part :) (I'm sure no one else has done this! LOL) The word that seems to be cropping up in my life lately is CONSISTENT. I make goals or decisions but often let those things fall to the wayside after a period, whether it's weight loss, daily devotions, or family time, and I allow myself to get off track with things that are meaningless (like spending too much time on Facebook!). I would like this to be a year of consistency: following down the path of faith or creativity or wherever I go on that path, even if it means baby steps, but sticking with that choice. It doesn't mean that I can't make room for frivolities like blog stalking or that my decisions are inflexible and I'll follow them to the bitter end. It just means that more thought and care will need to go into each decision and how I choose to spend my time each day....consistently.

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  14. jackie says…
    12/30/2009

    Ali-
    you never cease to inspire me. i have decided to join you with your word for the year challenge in 2010.
    my word is FOCUS and I plan to focus on my health, raising awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, my family, trying to un-clutter my life and just FOCUS-ing on what is important to me.
    Thanx again and hoping it is a fabulous year for us all.
    Jackie

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Karin Hall says…
    12/30/2009

    My word for 2010 - TRANQUILITY

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  16. leanne says…
    12/30/2009

    This year . . . CREATE . . . .all year long! Let the FUN BEGIN!!!! (And thanks for the inspiration the past few years, Ali! The PEACE (2008) and BALANCE (2009) you have brought to my life has been so rewarding! You are, truly, this little bit of heaven in my life!) And I thank YOU!
    ; )
    Happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Jessica Woodford says…
    12/30/2009

    I *love* that! That is so very awesome!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. JulieH says…
    12/30/2009

    My word is NEAT (as in neat and organized). My goal in 2010 is to clear out my house and get it organized and in shape.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Heather says…
    12/30/2009

    My word is TODAY. I blogged about it, if you'd like to click on my name below. :D

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  20. Heather says…
    12/30/2009

    Oh woops. It's my name above here. LOL

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Maica says…
    12/30/2009

    Dear Ali,
    My word for next year will be Silence.
    Silence, because is the better way to hear my own voice.
    Best Regards

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. AmyGee says…
    12/30/2009

    that is an amazing idea!
    i say we do it!

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  23. AmyGee says…
    12/30/2009

    thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Julia Spencer says…
    12/30/2009

    TODAY is my word... We have lived in the past... We can aim for tomorrow... But today is the day we have been given. TODAY we make choices that affect tommorrow. TODAY we choose to give up bad choices in the past. TODAY we choose to bask in the memories of yesturday. TODAY is a concept that I will focus on all year this year.

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  25. krolski (kathy) says…
    12/30/2009

    This is my first time hearing about the "one little word." My word for 2010 is....Hope.

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