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 2011 is "accomplish" or is it "accomplished". I'm not sure in context I should use it. I am excited to see what One Little Word BPC has to offer!
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Ali,
I saw your post and thought what would be the word I would choose. I thought of different ones, but dream came first. I have so many I don't have enough space to write them all down. Then, I was reading my senior photographers blog tonight (kellehampton.com) and it screamed at it. Capable, plain and simple. I am capable, and I need to be reminded of that. This year, I will be.
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You are so inspiring Ali! I've been mulling over words all day today...even making a list while I was at work...though there were many good words...none of them seemed to be the true fit...then it hit me tonight...EMBRACE. For 2011 I want to embrace the good, the bad and the ugly. My life seems in hyperdrive, but when you embrace something...it takes a little extra time...there's thought behind it...you take it in...learn from it. That's what I want for myself in 2011...to not just scurry through life but embrace it...enjoy it...perfect or not.
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My word for 2011 is stillness.
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I'm cheating. I've always chosen one word, and they've been great. This time, I need two.
PRACTICE LOVE
I need to make sure that I am always working to show those around me that I love them, rather than relying on the assumption that they know I do. I also want to find more active ways to show LOVE in general outside of our home. Love feels passive- this year I want it to be active, so I need to Practice Love.
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My word is RELISH. I believe in enjoying the journey of life and try hard to apply that in all areas of my life but I need to learn to relish all of the moments of my life . . . Even the ones that don't happen the way my little type A personality thinks they should. I have so much to enjoy, I just need to learn to take pleasure in it all . . . With abandon . . . To relish!
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My word is cliffjumper.
I've always said that we all need to "jump off a cliff every once in a while" as a metaphor for being afraid of doing things..but doing them anyway. Actual cliffjumpers (divers, paragliders etc) fascinate me with their willingness to leave terra firma and trust that, after a flight through what seems to be insupportable air, they will return to earth safely.
Sometimes, we jump off cliffs when we need to make change, but sometimes it is forced upon us. This year, I'm being laid off from my job of 12 years and need to face my next big thing...and I've had moments where I've felt frozen with fear.
So...cliffjumper...embodies many ideas for me...courage, mystery, passion...and I hope that by focusing on the concrete word, the intangible ideas will follow and inspire me to move forward.
This is super inspiring to me - love this word.
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I want my word to be Home. I want to find a home in who I love, what I do and where I am. I want to be fearless doing it. :)
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My word is........PLAY
I really need to let go....and enjoy life!!
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[...] The Happiness Project – Choose One Word to Set the Tone for Next Year (and via Reverb 10 and Ali Edwards) [...]
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[...] I set my goals, I had to decide what my One Little Word for 2011 would be. In the past two years, I’ve used “essential” and [...]
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[...] Ali Edwards is a scrapbooker and blogger who had the popular idea for the One Little Word project – to choose a word to focus on for the entire year. She says: It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother’s word or your spouse’s word or your child’s word – this is YOUR word. [...]
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[...] nooit zo van de goede voornemens. In elk geval niet met Oud en Nieuw… Ik kies wel altijd een One Little Word voor het nieuwe jaar, maar dat woord houd ik dan meestal voor me… Toch, als je zou willen, [...]
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Yay, my word has finally found me, there were three I was considering, but it turns out this one encompasses them all - HAPPINESS.
Looking forward to a great year ahead.
Happy New Year1
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My word for 2011 is CLEAR. Not just in the sense of "clearing things out", although that's part of it. I want to put my focus on doing things that make me feel "clear", if that makes sense - clear-minded, clear and calm.
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My word for 2011 is "Health"....physical, spiritual, financial, family, home. Just overall health for myself and those that I love.
I can't wait for the class to begin.
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Thanks for the inspiration A. This is my first big picture class and I'm looking forward to it. Already falling in love with my word!
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My word of the year is ACHIEVE.
Definition: to bring to a successful conclusion; accomplish; attain; reach a goal
I am a famous procastinator and there are so many things I need to accomplish and bring to a conclusion - actually, not really just physical things, but many other things, too. This is the word that came to me quickly and it's the one that is sticking. Looking forward to putting it first in my head and ACHIEVing lots in life this year! Happy New Year!
~julie
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I've mulled over several words during the past couple of weeks but I keep coming back to one that first came to mind in November: JOY. I tend to focus on the negative and worry way too much about almost everything. This year I will try to change my perspective and find joy every day, to greet each day joyfully with anticipation of all the good it can hold.
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Looking forward to this monthly class so much this year, Ali. Thank you.
Pray. –verb (used with object)
1. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God.
This word has been impacting me this past month, and I want to follow the path that has been started for me. I think it connects with many of the words here in the comments. I want to gain a better understanding of this powerful word. Not so I can lay a 'grocery list' of wants out to be had, but rather to change me into the person I am truly suppose to be.
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I am choosing "Shine". I am looking forward to a positive, productive year and this word reflects how I want to present myself to the world.
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My word this year is "direction". I want to see where life takes me this year.I want direction in my life this year.
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My one little word this year will be "love". I hope to find it again...
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My word for this year is COMPLETE. I like this word because of its multiple meanings. As an adjective, it means: having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; whole; entire; full. And I want to remind myself daily that my life, in its current state, is all of that. Also, and just as important, is the meaning as a verb: to bring to an end; finish. I want to accomplish several projects during this year that have been weighing on me and my "to do" list for some time now. I know that completing those things will be very freeing.
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I just signed up for you workshop, Ali and I am looking forward to participating in your one little word project this year....I have watched from afar for a while now.
I have been trying to come up with a creative word for myself but I just keep coming back to "health". I kept thinking it just wasn't creative enough but the more I thought about it, the more health just kept creeping in. So, I decided to go with it. And when I let it in, I realized health really is the right word for me. I want to work on my mental, emotional and physical health this year. As well as creating a health-ier home & life for my family. So, yep, "Health" it is!!
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