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 GRATITUDE. If one focuses on what there is to be grateful for, then all other things will seem pale in comparison.
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I think I'm getting closer to choosing a word. I had been thinking about the word STILL--as in spending more time relaxing and enjoying the peace of being at home. Instead of always running around on my free time --I have a horrible daily commute (Wash DC) and it seems I need to get more stilness with my life!
Yet, the second I saw your post--YOUR word LIGHT choose me!I hope this ok. The necklace is really special and a great way to remember your wrod. Thanks Ali!!
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BLESSING. Counting my blessings. And being a blessing to others with kind words, time, thoughfulness, and tangible gifts.
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Stewardship is my word. I want to be a better steward of all the gifts God has given me: health, talents, time, money - not just let life pass by as it will w/out any aims or plans.
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Plan. I don't do enough of it, and I'm always so much happier when I do : ) Meals, chores, ensuring free time, gifts, everything. How functional is that? Heh.
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i've chosen two words. one personally for me {prayer} and one for my family {humble}.
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I changed my word. I've had such a hard time picking this year. In years past it's come so easily but not this time. I've been flip flopping between "accomplish" and "do." Accomplished feels forced, do feels right. It's just weird to think that a two letter word is my word for the year... but it says so much!
Do is my word.
Do.
:-)
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.My word this year is MOVE. It is my word because it applies to my life in many ways. First, I need to move more...my exercise level has fallen off dramatically over the last several years and this has had a significant impact in many areas of my life. I also need to move outside my self imposed boundaries and do more in my life. I also need to move toward the goals I have for myself and move toward completion of many many projects
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My word is Leap.
I want to be a yes girl, I want to execute my plan, actualize my thoughts...do. I want tangible results out of all my thoughts, ideas & plans. They aren't going to just live inside my heart & mind. I will be taking a leap this year...I can't wait!!
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My word for 2011 is : detail. My father passed away in 2009 and left only a few pictures and some things from when he was in the Navy. It has been hard to not really feel his voice, who he was. I do not want my children to feel the same. I want to leave them the details of time spent together, my feelings of events, things I do not always share.I want them to know all the little bits of who I am.
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This is such a wonderful idea, thanks for the inspiration! This will be my first year at choosing a word.
My word is happy! By choosing this word I can work on being happy in all that I do, choosing what is and isn't important to me, spending quality time with my family, and enjoying each day. My phrase has always been 'life is too short' since my Dad died, and this will be a great way to remind me that every moment spent is precious, and should be happy. Living in the moment is such a simple thing to say, yet such a difficult thing to do, and hopefully this will help me in that sometimes evasive goal :o)
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my word will be healthy - it's not an exciting word, but it's the one i need. i want to consciously make healthy decisions, not just for my body, but for my relationships and for my spirit too.
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I am a single mom with three kids -- one in high school, one in middle school and one in elementary school. I run a very successful company that manages four smaller companies -- mostly because I hire great pepole. My word.... PEACE!
PEACE in our house as we go from activity to activity eating dinner in the car.
PEACE about finances and where we are.
PEACE about less -- less stuff, less craziness, less chaos, less weight, less fast food
PEACE about the future.
PEACE that I am in the most right moment.
PEACE - that passeth all understanding.
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TENACITY...I have had to have alot of it in the past year and choose to keep on the path I am laying for myself and a better future, it fits my situations right now
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My word is peace... peace in my heart, in my relationships, with God, and most of all in the world (especially having a soldier son and daughter in law who will be deploying in 2011.)
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Love this idea. This'll be my first time - very exciting. I'm thinking of going with TRUST. Trust that I have what it takes to achieve my goals. Trust in the goodness of others.
Can't wait for the workshop! Looking forward to it!!
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I ended up choosing LUCK as my word. Not just because I'm hoping to bring some luck into my life, but that I need to focus on all of the things in life I am lucky and blessed to have. I just got a necklace with the word LUCK and a wishbone on it, which inspired my word choice. :)
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Mine is change. I feel like I'm on the verge of so much change this year....jobs, family roles, possible move. I typically don't deal well with change and am a bit of a control freak, so I'm trying to learn to embrace it. I also want to make some changes in myself, learning to forgive and let go of some things, change my outlook, and be better about fitness... Here's to 2011!
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My life is full of confusion and sadness at the moment. I feel that I can't make a decision on which word to chose. I am thinking about create but I don't want to add pressure on myself thinking I have to keep creating so I may not go with that. I love reading all your suggestions here. I will make a decision my next week I think LOL.
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I am so excited to pick FLOURISH:
to be in a vigorous state; thrive: a period in which art flourished.
2. to be in its or in one's prime; be at the height of fame, excellence, influence, etc.
3. to be successful; prosper.
4. to grow luxuriantly, or thrive in growth, as a plant.
My husband and I chose it together... it beat out essential, together, and thrive- it has such a nice ring to it:-)
Off to sign up for your class- now that I found my word!!
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Wait. It's such a patient little word that we seem to detest as a society. I want to learn to wait, think, set aside emotions and respond, rather than react. To wait on the Lord. To be still and to quiet my heart.
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reconnect
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My word for 2011 is CONFIDENCE.
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Last year my word was Treasure. My One Little Word for 2011 is COMPLETE. I'm turning 39 soon and there are things I want to complete before I turn 40 - scrapbook the stories from the past three years, lose weight, start a walking habit, rediscover reading. My unofficial words are Space - that's a really good one - and Simplify.
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ENGAGE
engage in my roles: child of God, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend
engage in courage
engage in using my voice
engage in doing something with good ideas I let fall to the side
engage in love
engage in joy
engage in giving in secret
engage in 2011
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