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.
DECIDE will be my word ... I need to decide a LOT of things this year!
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[...] also love a post by Ali Edwards (scrapbook superstar) about having a word to represent the upcoming [...]
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My word for 2011 is "play". My daughter will be a year old on February 22, and I really want to spend a lot more time just getting down on my hands and knees and playing with her. I also want to play a lot more with my art supplies -- both just using them and feeling more free to experiment with techniques, tell stories that I have been too afraid to tell for free of "messing up" and learning and trying new ways to tell my stories. I want to increase my energy levels through physical recreation and play. And finally, I just want to develop a more playful attitude toward life, instead of being so hung up on task lists and "must do"s. I'm excited to see what this year will bring for me.
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My word is healthy. My back was out for a lot of the fall, and I am looking to restore physical health as well as mental and financial health.
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My word that keeps coming to me is GIFT.
The gift of a new day, a new beginning in my life.
The gift of my husband, children, family and friends.
The gift of being able to make choices in the country that we live in.
The gift to exercise now when I was unable to before due to injury.
The gift to watch the sunrise at the beach.
The gift to feel 100 degree days.
The gift to love my dogs and have them love me so unconditionally.
The list goes on. I think GIFT is my word.
Thanks Ali.
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Last year my word was Stretch – my neck, muscles, mind, and finances – it was both an opportunity for me to work on something, but also inspirational. I wanted to find something similar for this year, but the words I brainstormed were more about fixing instead of inspiring.
For 2011, the word ONE has chosen me. I fought it, as it looks weird on the cover page with the One Little Word Title for the BPC class, but I am opening myself up to see where it leads. Here is how I see One inspiring me:
One moment is missed with my family if I don’t unplug from my phone, laptop, Kindle
One minute to say hi, send an encouraging note, or connect further with one of my friends and students
One night a month to focus on my husband and me
One more scoop is a moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips
One time to read, delete or respond to mail
One deep breath – helps a lot
I am only One person - even though I can do anything, I don’t have to do everything
beautiful idea!!
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My word for 2011: "pause." I want to take more time to stop - and soak in what God has blessed me with and to not get caught-up in the day-to-day hecticness that can easily distract.
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My word-MORE
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I think I have decided on "achieve" for my little word. It's not something I'm good at, I'm a muddler! Sadly I so can't afford to buy the class, much as I'd love to but I will try to play along as best I can and live by my word.
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NOW.
All we are guaranteed is right now. I need to stop putting things off (fun things as well as not-so-fun things). If a challenge comes up, tackle it now. If an opportunity comes along, grab onto it now. The procrastinator in me has got to go.
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My word for 2011 is DO. I wanted a word to remind me to live my life, not just wait for it to happen. To guide me to action. To remind me to finish what I start. To remind me to let go of the things that make me unhappy and to DO the things I love. I can't wait for the positive influence of DO. As a matter of fact, I am not waiting. I have let it in and accepted it's challenges to me in these last few days of 2010.
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EDIT. That's my word. I got Don Miller's book for Christmas.
http://www.amazon.com/Million-Miles-Thousand-Years-Learned/dp/0785213066/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293818040&sr=8-1
I'm almost finished reading it. And I think I will read it a second time. Thanks for the recommendation. It has really got my wheels turning on how I can edit my life.
I want to add what I REALLY want and take away what is not really a priority. I want to live more consciously. That is always my goal.
Happy New Year!
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This will be my third year choosing one little word and this year it will be: cultivate
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So excited about the class that you are offering this year for one little word and so excited about what is to come in 2011. I recently left my job to become a full time housewife and discover who I am and what I love again. So my word for 2011 is going to be DISCOVER. A great confirmation to my word choice was a recent Dove wrapper message that I saw during the last week of my job. It said "Discover yourself."
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My word is "forward". Ever since my brother began showing signs of dementia several years ago, and passed away a year ago, I've been stuck in a sad, immobilized, and unproductive place. In 2011, I'm determined get unstuck and move "forward" with my life. I just turned 60 and there is still so much I want to do. I don't have time to be stuck any more. Must-move-forward. Now if I could just get rid of this dang flu!
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The word that chose me for 2011 is 'Shine'! Not striving for perfection that's for sure, but want to take the focus off of the need for control and be less serious and intense. Therefore I plan to let my light shine on myself, my family, my friends, projects and career. Can't wait!
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my word is joy. realizing it's really ok to happy.
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My 2011 word is FOCUS...it came to me a couple weeks back. Just hit me. Like my OLW always does (I've had PLAY, DONE and FRESH). I'm beginning a 365 photo project tomorrow and have huge work demands on me this year. As a creative person who is easily distracted, 2011 needs focus and I like the connection to my passion, photography. Thank you Ali for creating the class at BPC...I look forward to focusing on my word this year!
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My word is whole. I am focusing on having a healthier life and body, a more complete connection with God, and protecting my time with my family. I love reading through everyone's words! It makes me want to have a whole list!!
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My word for 2011 is INTENTIONAL.
I want to be intentional about what I do -- no more -- or at least less wasting time, and no more I shoulds that are based on someone elses agenda or expectations.
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I love the "one little word" challenge each year. It has been a big part of my planning and reflection these past few years. Thank you for indtroducing to me and inspiring me.
This year I have chosen STRENGTH for my word. My favorite thing about this years word is that it encompasses several aspects of my life...spiritual strength, physical strength, mental strength. So excited to work on these different areas and increase my strength!
;)
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I'm considering "Beauty" as my word. It encompasses a lot of what I want out of life this year: To lose weight (feeling beautiful), to deep clean and decorate my home (having a beautiful environment), and to take on more arts and crafts projects (creating beauty).
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Mine is "endure". The word that popped when I thought about last year was "overwhelmed" and this year the future appears to hone-in on that word...endure =)
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I have a couple thoughts, but have decided that my word will be renew. Excited to get started.
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DELIGHT:: to take great pleasure or joy.
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