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 for this year is going to be "open". I think this could be a year of real change for my family and for me personally as well, so I'm just trying to ride with it and see where it takes me/us...
Think I'm off to sign up for your Big Picture class as well!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Think I mentioned on Twitter that I'd picked the same word as you, while musing throughout November.
For me, the irst inkling was just catching it a radio play of that Coldplay song 'Fix U' with the line 'Lights will guide you home and keep you safe from harm.' and I thought Yep, I'll have some of that please! Then a little later I heard my favourite carol 'O come all ye faithful', with the line 'light and life to all, he brings' (though I am not religious) and I thought that was something to aim for too.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
SIMPLE. I want a no fuss approach to 2011. No longer want to over complicate and overload my life. I want to live a simple & more fulfilling life.
Amen. I'm so with you.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My one little word for 2011 is STRONG. I was having a very hard time coming up with my word this year, and it was really worrying me because I love words, and I didn't want to have to "settle". One night, STRONG just popped into my head and I knew that was my OLW for 2011. I have a tendency to feel weak and less-than the majority of the time, so this word is perfect for me. I want to be strong in all areas of my life. I blogged more about it here: http://paulysrachie.typepad.com/complicated_simplicity/2010/12/one-little-word-2011-barrentree-reopening.html
Love reading everyone's words....such a powerful, humbling, convicting, and inspiring experience.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happiness - This year the word choose me and I want to find it again.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2011 is "Listen." I had actually been considering this word for some time when I read Daphne's post (above), as well as her blog, and knew Listen was meant to be.
I chose listen because I need to learn to listen to myself better. I need to listen to my body, mind, and soul. Through listening I hope to learn more about all three aspects of myself so that I can strive towards living an authentic lifestyle.
This is the third year I have selected "one little word." Thank you for inspiring me Alli.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I've gone back and forth between "simplify", "less", and "enough". I'm going with less...it feels right and seems to fit with what my thoughts are regarding the word. Looking forward to the class...and a year of incorporating "less" into it.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
STRIVE.
This is my word for the year. Like you, mine seemed to choose me. I have looked up the definition and really love it. I am interested to see how this word affects me this year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is DETERMINATION... I started my journey toward a healthier more active life in 2010 and 2011 is the year I plan to "kick it up a notch". I also started my own business in 2010 and left my full time job and this year is all about making it grow. 2010 was all about change for me, 2011 is about the determination it takes to set goals and achieve them.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am leaning towards FLOURISH. I think it's a pretty word and it's also active.
FLOURISH is also my word! Had started at Joy then got tangled in a whole bunch of words...flourish encompasses them all! It's positive, happy, inspirational and nurturing.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2011 is ME!! In 2010, I was broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I was raised to believe we put everything and everyone before myself. I realized unless I am healthy and happy, no one else in my life will be. So in 2011, I choose ME..
Sign in or sign up to comment.
started writing down all the things I want 2011 to be. As a single mom of two teenagers we are always rushing around; between sports practices, music lessons, rehearsals, church activities and Scouts, seems like there is never time to just chill out. I thought "peace" might be my word but truth is that sometimes the busyness is invigorating and exciting. So my word is BREATHE. A deep breath calms, relaxes. Gotta breathe deeply to smell the flowers or the fragrances. Have to stop and be intentional about breathing. We take breathing for granted but when we stop and really DO it... it is very restorative. So in 2011 my goal is to remember to BREATHE.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Focus is my chosen word. When BPC announced your class I began thinking about my word and "focus" really encompassed what I want to do and accomplish this coming year: stay focused on family, friends, myself, my health, my home, classes I'm taking, completing projects, not taking on more than I can handle & finishing anything that I start until the end.
Thank you Ali for the inspiration!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2011 is FAITH. It chose me a few days ago as I was thinking about the next year and trying to pick a word. First, I feel like I'm being called to strengthen my FAITH - as in, finally find a church home here. We've lived in this city for 10 years but never found a church we were truly at home in. I need to have FAITH as my son is tested for autism - faith that everything will be ok and that God won't give me more than I can handle. FAITH that the world will go on post-2012 (which makes me more anxious than I care to admit!). FAITH that God is in charge of my life and through Him I can have peace in my mind and in my heart. It's a little bit of a scary word for me; when you let God take the reins you never know what will happen!! But I feel like this is what I need to do right now. For sure it will be an interesting journey!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2011 is BELIEVE. Believe in myself and the choices that I have to make, believe I can achieve the goals I have set for myself and believe that my life with continue to be good and blessed.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I selected FINISH as my 2011 word. My goal this year is to finish organizing, finish simplifying, finish many projects and finish scrapbooks. I considered BEGIN as a word until I realized I have begun many things, but haven't finished as much as I would like. I look forward to the class!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2011 is STRENGTH. I had a cancer scare earlier in the year, and this is the year for me to concentrate on getting and staying strong...physically, spiritually, mentally.
I've ordered my necklace from Meredith Fenwick designs.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
i'm thinking "wholehearted". i have a lot of healing and acceptance work to do, and Brene Brown's work is so encouraging to me. i also keep seeing hearts everywhere i turn, so i think it's a sign.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2011 is "quench." As I have reflected back on the past year, I find that my soul is thirsty for many things......more time for my art, more time to just be quiet, more time with my God and in His Word, more time to nurture my body with good food and regular exercise, and more time to nurture my spirit and my family's spirit.
In 2011, it is my goal to quench my soul's thirst for these things.
I totally love this word.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
balance
Sign in or sign up to comment.
"Now" is my word for 2010. No more time wasted looking back or anticipating/worrying/dreaming about the future and missing out on what's happening right in front of me. In 2010 I will honor, respect, and celebrate Now.
Wonderful choice! Inspiring word!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali, I love the "one little word" idea. I have to say it really helps when you have personal goals you are trying to achieve. This year my word is Challenge. Every spring and fall I have really big challenges to get through, and so having this word in the back of my mind will help me to get through those very challenging months. Also I am starting a new business and have some fitness goals that I want to achieve so challenge also works nicely. I am hoping that Challenge will take me from my last year of my 30's and transition me nicely into my 40's! I can't wait to see how your word will play out this coming year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love your word, Ali!
My word for 2011 is create. I've thought about it for some time and I hope that it helps to remind me throughout the year that sometimes I just need to take a break from what's happening in life and just go create for myself...
Have a lovely day!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Complete. I would not have thought of it I don't think....without scanning through this great discussion. But now that I have it I love it. As in I will complete my schooling, and will work to be complete myself. There are always one or two areas that I slide in the service of others. Time to make myself complete!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is "believe." Believing that all things are possible.
Sign in or sign up to comment.