One Little Word 2011
My 2011 necklace from the lovely Lisa Leonard. Get one for yourself here.
My word for 2011 is light.
This year my word sure seemed to choose me.
Most years I start thinking about my word for the following year in November or December. I think about it in passing and start listening, looking, and being open to the possibilities of a new word.
This year the word light seemed to be trying to catch my attention.
I found it in books, in magazines, in music, in conversations and in quiet moments.
So I'm going with it. It's already surprised, delighted, challenged and sparked some new things within me.
Some years I've had to look harder or listen longer or simply choose one that fit with what was on my mind and heart at that moment. There's no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It's not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.
And what do you do with this one little word?
You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.
I'd love to read what word you've chosen or are considering for 2011. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word.
In a couple of days I'll post a compilation of the words as an inspirational reminder to us all.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.
NEW FOR 2011 : ONE LITTLE WORD at BIG PICTURE CLASSES
I'm excited to be offering a brand new One Little Word online workshop through Big Picture Classes in 2011 as a way to connect with and honor our words throughout the year.
Each month you'll receive a prompt with a simple creative project and a gentle reminder to check back in with your word. By the end of the year you'll have compiled the contents of an 8.5x11 album that documents, defines, celebrates and generally makes your word more visible. Workshop materials include printable elements, full-color PDF handouts, and video presentations.
People have been asking me if you have to be a scrapbooker for this class. My answer is no. Even though we are making an album it's really more of a journaling/record keeping/thinking/exploring project. I'm excited to see how people interpret the prompts and make them meaningful for their own lives.
This is not complicated and it's not time-consuming. It's simply a way we can come together to share our experience with our words throughout the course of the year.
The One Little Word classroom opens on January 1, 2011.
My word is "Become". This year I want to become more of who I am: as an individual, as a woman, as a wife, as a mom. I know there is more inside me trying to find it's outlet, it's creative expression, it's freedom. I'm hesitant about what this could mean as I am slow "changer" but I am also excited at the challenge and possibilities.
Love it! A lot! I love how you explained your choice.
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my word seemed to have come to me one day at work: BALANCE. this is something I know I need to work on but have lots of trouble achieving it. Part of the reason is my lack of follow-through (so maybe my supporting word with me commentment).
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Learn is my word for 2011. I wrote out a few weeks ago what my goals for 2011 would be and they all seem to fall into the catagory of trying out or teaching myself new things, either by book, video, a class. Simple things like needlepoint, Copic coloring, but all fun things that I know will bring me joy. I like the concept of picking my word and focusing on it throughout the year. Thank you Ali for promoting this concept and including us in your journey of your one little word. So cool.
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This is the first year I have a word.
I had a very challenging time letting it find me... however it finally came to me...
Simple.
I'll be writing about it soon, and am excited to be signed up for the class! THANK YOU!
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My word is going to be house/home. I've reached the age where I want my house to be more than just someplace to crash. Time to make it into a home.
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My word is Faith. Not religious faith, or faith in a higher power, but faith that if I listen to that quiet, wise voice (my authentic self) that good things will happen. Faith that if I leap, I may fall, but I can pick myself up again and find another leap to take! Faith that "I am enough" just as I am and I only need to listen to find my path. Going to sign up for the class right now! ;)
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My word is "hope". This has been the hardest year of my life for so many reasons. So this word stands for my hope for a brighter new year.
1. Hope for peace.
2. Hope for healing.
3. Hope for God's love.
4. Hope for growth.
5. Hope for forgiveness.
6. Hope for insight.
7. Hope for....
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My word is STABILIZE. It has found me, and it couldn't be more perfect.
I want stability, we've moved too many times in the last few years, too many changes, to many unforeseen circumstances.
More than anything I want to STABILIZE and breathe, and be content with life in 2011.
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confidence.
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My word for 2011 is reflect. It seems fitting to me on many different levels. I am a mom of 3 boys and they seem to be growing so fast. I want to make sure I take time to appreciate them and reflect on how they changed my life in so many ways. Because we also had a very tough year, I want to reflect on the past but don't make it determine where we are headed. I want to learn from it and move forward.
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[...] you are interested in taking this journey with me, read check out Ali’s post on her One Little Word for this year and then pick your own! See where it takes you! Please leave a [...]
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time
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my one word is going to be heal. both because I'm changing directions towards a career in nursing, but also because after a number of rough years, it's time to heal, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
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My word for 2011 is CHANGE. It came to me quite suddenly a couple months ago and I immediately knew it was the word I needed in 2011. This is my fourth year choosing a word and I'm really looking forward to taking this year long journey with women from all over the world.
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My word is "grace".
There are some areas in my life and home that I want to refine this year, and I'd like to remember to grace my own life with my presence, not just sail through as a passenger.
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My word this year is SIMPLICITY. I was tossing up between this word and simplify, but in the end I chose this as I felt a little overwhelmed by the action implied in the word simplify. I am expecting baby no. 3 in May, and with a toddler and a preschooler in the house already I need a word I can also rest in....thus simplicity.
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I too, have done One Little Word the past couple of years, and my word for 2011 is Courage.
I want courage to finally finish my first novel (something I've wanted since I was 7 years old), and courage to start another one that has been eating at my imagination for months now. I want courage to get my second college degree this year after graduating with a B.A seven years ago. I want courage to change my whole career focus (after the past 9 years in retail, I want to get out of that career path and focus more on something that I could really be good at...plus, I was burned badly by a now former boss several months ago who really took a shot at my personal spirit). I want courage to be almost 30 and going back to school and living with my parents (which is something I never planned on doing, but life throws funny things our way sometimes).
I just want simple courage. Courage to be me, and courage to be successful, strong, and happy both personally and professionally. =)
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http://projectemmarobinson.blogspot.com/2010/12/one-little-word.html
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My word is ORGANIZE.
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Add me to the list of those who didn't choose their word this year ... my word chose me.
My word for 2011 is LISTEN.
I need to listen ... not only for God's voice ... but also to what God is saying. (For all the time I spend in prayer, I don't spend time *listening*.)
I need to listen ... to my husband's heart ... and to my teenage stepdaughter, to weed through her girl-talk ramblings with patience to get those important nuggets of information.
I need to listen ... to my doctors & caregivers. (I start treatment for a chronic pain/autoimmune disorder on January 4th.)
I also need to listen to my body. I don't do a good job of that.
I need to listen ... to my creative spirit.
I think that LISTEN fits in so very, very many different ways - just like "health" fit last year and "invest" the year before.
And I couldn't be more excited for the year-long class at BPS!!! Yea, Ali!
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This is the first time I've chosen a word to work with and when I first heard about your One Little Word class at Big Picture, it jumped out at me. My word for 2011 is RESOLVE. For two reasons - I feel the need to change directions in my life in the next couple of years and I feel that I first need to resolve a lot of projects, beliefs and outdated ideas to open the pathway and make room and also because it know that it will take a great deal of resolve on my part to follow through and make it happen. And I am ready. Bring it on 2011!
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My word for 2011 is INVEST. I love my word because it reminds me to invest time in my children (they are growing up way to fast!), my husband (doing more fun things together), my family (they don't live nearby) my friends (do fun stuff together en create new memories), myself (allow myself to grow and make mistakes), my study (I desided to go to an art academy this year after having a burn-out), my home (making sure it stays welcome and comfortable for everyone who visits)
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"Walk" is my word. I want to "walk" in God's presence more - and physically "walk" to get in shape.
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My word(s) for 2011 are EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER. Ali- I love your "one little word" concept. It has changed my life in 2010. I chose "Celebrate" as my word for 2010. I kept a poster in my hallway and each time I celebrated something I wrote it down so I could remember what I celebrated. It was as simple as celebrating the completion of the laundry to celebrating my 40th birthday in Disneyland with my three sisters and their families. I have had three words in my mind for this year. They go together "EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER." They come from a quote by Mark Twain. I have shared your idea with my family and it was fun to see how each of their words impacted their lives. My sister, Lisa, made up a new word "PRIORFUN". It has helped her to meet her priorities in life but have fun doing it. I recently shared this concept with my Sister in law and she is excited to pick a word. Thanks for sharing with all of us. You are a amazing.
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My word is CELEBRATE.
Let the celebration begin!
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