One Little Word : February 2010

wood type letter O letter N letter E

letter L I letter T letter T letter l E

W o letter R D

One of the things I am planning to do this year is a monthly post about One Little Word. My hope is that it will serve as a reminder, a check-in, and a chance to re-focus.


I am starting off with three basic categories: learn, create, and write. Each word includes a suggestion for an action to take related to your word.


Here's three simple actions for February 2010:


LEARN : Locate a book (online, library, bookstore) that addresses your word and make it a priority to read/learn something new about your word this month. Let it feed that part of you that is wanting to make a change. I am planning to get back into a book I started on a recommendation last fall called Writing Motherhood.


CREATE : Grab your camera and photograph the letters of your word. This is a really fun exercise that can be done as you go about the normal routines of your life. Look up, look down, keep your eyes open for cool typefaces. Upload them and print them out and as a visual reminder of your word. If you can't get out or you want a little instant gratification you can always check out Spell With Flickr (what I used to create the "one little word" above). 


WRITE : This idea came from the One Little Word comments. After she chooses a word each year, Lynnelle at A Writer's Life writes a letter to her future self. Consider writing out where you hope you will be in one year and the role your word will play for you in 2010. Here's a nice write up of suggestions about writing a letter to yourself: If You Could Talk To Your Future Self What Would You Say? You can even send an email to your future self at FutureMe.org.

Hoping that your word is already making a difference for you in your life.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

46 thoughts

  1. Sue says…
    02/01/2010

    Great ideas!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Lara says…
    02/01/2010

    thank you
    ((HUGS))

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Jolande says…
    02/01/2010

    I like the idea of shooting the letters of the little word.
    My word indeed made already a difference in my life.
    My word is ENJOY and I am making a journal and everyday I glue, draw, make a picture etc of something I really enjoyed that day, not big things, but small things.
    If you like to look:
    http://geknipt.punt.nl/?gr=798658
    The journaling is in Dutch but pictures speak every language.
    Greetings from Jolande

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Jo Sowerby says…
    02/01/2010

    hi ali,
    this is such a g8 idea.......i have found my letters and will be blogging later about it all.
    i love the 3 prompt ideas too and will try it out this month,
    Jo xxx

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Susan says…
    02/01/2010

    i too love the idea of photographing the letters. have a great week!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. SandyB says…
    02/01/2010

    Thanks for your inspiring ideas. My word is HOPE. I am in the middle of reading 90 Minutes in Heaven. I have written a letter about hope to my daughter who passed away, but what a great idea to write one to myself! And love the idea of taking photos of the letters to print out.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Katrina Kennedy says…
    02/01/2010

    My word "community" is making such a difference. Thank you for the wonderful ideas to even deepen my connection to it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Joy Buss says…
    02/01/2010

    Thanks for great inspiration to keep our one little word alive. Can't wait to get going on these!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. jackie says…
    02/01/2010

    Although a rainy and icky Monday here in FL, I can NOT wait to get out and start locating the letters of my word for the year~F~O~C~U~S!!
    What a gr-8 idea and thank you so much for sharing it with us. I wish that I could think "outside" my lil box sometimes, but it sure does help that you share your awesome ideas.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Tappin' Tamara says…
    02/01/2010

    Great ideas...I haven't done a good job with my word thus far, but maybe this will inspire me. I am the one who had considered switching to "me"-that seemed so easy. LOL!
    Just a side note, my children's school did a poster of the alphabet with photos they took in the park beside our school. (Just like what you've shown above). It was a fundraiser for the 1st grade class that did it. Might be a neat way for some of you to make some $ for your school and volunteer your photography talents!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. jakki says…
    02/01/2010

    It amazes me what you come up with to do!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. TaraM says…
    02/01/2010

    that's a cool program

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Natalie says…
    02/01/2010

    Ali, I keep a small daily journal in my purse and write down things I am thankful for each day. Does anyone have a suggestion for a book about being thankful? I love the idea of reading a book that has to do with your word of the year. I'm eager to read Don Miller's book upon your suggestion. Happy Monday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Anna Aspnes says…
    02/01/2010

    Great suggestions. I particularly like no. 2.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Anna Aspnes says…
    02/01/2010

    Great suggestions. I particularly like no. 2.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Anna Aspnes says…
    02/01/2010

    Great suggestions. I particularly like no. 2.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Linn says…
    02/01/2010

    I've had Writing Motherhood on my wish list for a while now...I can't wait to hear how you like it. And I love the idea of photographing letters. That's a project my kids could get into, too.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Ali Edwards says…
    02/01/2010

    Have you ever read Simple Abundance? It's a classic :).

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kristy Gussio says…
    02/01/2010

    Reading your suggestions really made me feel like I am off to a great start!! My word for the year is "WRITE" and I have really been working hard to incorporate some sort of writing into my daily life......posting to my blog, writing in my new journal, writing letters to friends, etc....
    You can read more about my writing journey here:
    http://www.kristygussio.blogspot.com
    Thanks for all that you do!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. donna!ee says…
    02/01/2010

    awesome clever prompt...thrilled to go on a snapshot of architectural letters scavenger hunt...my word this year is equipped ... my determined re-focus living in the present, equipped by God in all things, provisions for mind, body & Spirit!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Jo says…
    02/01/2010

    Loved the idea of spelling our One Little Word's with photos of each letter. Had to play straight away with Spell with Flickr. Here's what I came up with for my word ACHIEVE http://halfacupofcoffee.typepad.co.uk/half_a_cup_of_coffee/2010/02/one-little-word.html. Think I'll get my camera out and photograph some letters for myself too. I've been thinking a lot about my word and trying to 'achieve' my goals, so far it's going quite well and I'm getting a lot of things done.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Jan Barlow says…
    02/01/2010

    Love the idea of checking in monthly and really revisiting and thinking about our words.
    Regarding photographing the letters for your word - I have an acquaintance who goes around photographing "letters" that she sees in life around her - but formed by nature or architectural elements or just happenstance and not actual letters you'd see on signs. For instance, if you think about the side of a swing set, you have a letter "A". (Thought you'd really appreciate that one, Ali!) :) A manhole cover could be an "O". And so on... Talk about being on the lookout all around you... She saves these digital photos, of course, and then uses them for creative gifts. When my son was married, she made them a framed work that spelled out their last name. It was SO cool!
    Thanks for the inspo!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Jan Barlow says…
    02/01/2010

    I should also mention that she took the photos in black and white, so you could really focus on the form of the letters...
    :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Suzette Mahoney says…
    02/01/2010

    Fantastic idea, Ali...thank you!
    Question: after your project life post I decided to play along. Do you plan to occasionally update us on your progress? I hope so. You made me realize it is ok to not stress if I don't get a picture daily!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Deb J says…
    02/01/2010

    Ali, these are great ideas. I can't wait to try them. I am doing a modified version of Kolette Hall's "Every Needful Thing" journal and have made a section for my Word. I put the questions and answers from Christine Kane's discovery tool that you told us about in it. I will put the results of these ideas in there too.

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.