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 accept - like many others it found me. After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at 38, I thought my life was over, instead it has been the been the beginning of life - living with more purpose and meaning than I ever thought possible.
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My one little word for 2011 is.... Authentic..... I want to be my true self this year, not what my mother or others want me to be, but who I truely am. I don't want to care what others think.I want to rediscover all the little oddities that make me unique...
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What great words everyone is coming up with, and the meaning behind each word is different for each individual. I am struggling to pick between partake, engage, and savor - all reaching towards the end of my racing through life, not really paying attention. Reading a book quickly just to finish it. Watching everything go on around me without getting involved. I am going to work on this in 2011
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My word is FINISH. I want to focus on finishing what I've already started, and not taking on new things (online courses, big projects) that I don't have time to finish.
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My word for the year is ACT. Hopefully it will remind me to DO the things I want to ACCOMPLISH this year, and not just daydream about doing them :)
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I finally picked a word :) "possibilities"
I have a lot of changes career wise and I'm excited at the possibilities of the year... I think it's a good word for all aspects of my life!
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I picked nurture, but I waffled back and forth between several others. My boys are getting older (13 and 11) and need me less and less, I want to focus on nurturing a new relationship stage with them and helping them nurture themselves into kind young men. I want to nurture the relationship with my husband as we move to having a bit more freedom. I want to nurture my relationships with family and friends. Lastly, I want to nurture my professional life and make some choices there.
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My word for this year is prepare, I feel as if I'm getting ready for something big this year and I need to be ready for it. For me prepare has so many meanings. I need to prepare for the future, prepare for my children's future, prepare my house to be in order, prepare my self for what lies ahead.
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My word for 2011 is PURPOSE and wasn't even on my list of words I considered. I was fortunate enough to attend a taping of Oprah's Australian show at the Oprah House and after the cameras finished rolling Oprah encouraged us all to live a life of purpose. Her words really spoke to me and as I searched for this years OLW PURPOSE kept creeping into my mind.
This is my first year doing this and I am so excited to see where the journey takes me. I am desperate to do your course, Ali, however my husband (or holder of the funds as I have decided to dub him) doesn't understand the concept and what I could possibly get out of it and won't agree to it.
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I have just found out about the "one little word" challenge via a blog website. What a fantastic way to focus one's energies and mind for the year whether it be for artistic purposes or for lifestyle choices.
I have noticed a couple of words popping up over the last couple of days (probably months really) that are my word for the year. Both words are essentially the same thing. However I have just go through an process of elimination with a number of other words to confirm that I was on the right track all the time! More about that in my blog...
So my word for 2011 is Faith. Faith or belief in myself and faith that I can achieve the goals that I have set for 2011; faith in God and the angels who can help guide me through the year ahead and beyond; faith in my family and loved ones; faith in mankind itself.
So thank you Ali for such a great inspiration.
All the best for 2011
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Go.
Just go.
Go to the gym. Go to kettle bell class. Go with the dog anywhere. Go to the doctor...and don't be afraid. Go and get stuff done. Go.
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Last year my word was FOCUS and having just one word to look at and think about really helped me find clarity in my endeavors for all parts of my life. I had a little postit strip note that had an arrow printed on it plus the text 'where I left off' and into the arrow I wrote 'focus'. I looked at it every day!
This year my word is going to be SMILE. Many things are going on in my life this year that could make me more serious and I want a reminder that life is better with a smile.
Thanks for introducing me to one little word. I enjoy your blog very much.
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[...] Posted on January 1, 2011 by Ryann Salamon A lot of people in the blogosphere are picking a word for 2011 thanks to Ali Edwards. It could be that they want more of the word in their life. Be [...]
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My word for this year is perseverance. It speaks to me in every aspect of my life currently. I am looking for to see where this word will take me in 2011.
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My word will be BRAVE and it chose me as well.
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Trust.
It has been popping up lately and really calmed at times when I've needed it.
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This is my second year of one little word. This year I have chosen nourishment for my word. Using this one word I will tend to my body and soul's health, inspiration for creativity, and the strengthening of relationships. Once again thank you for prompting me to focus on life.
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SHINE.
Decided this works for me on a bunch of different levels.
-Flylady's shiny sink-so clean, clutter-free, shiny house.
-Shiny happy people song--just be happy, and silly--good for me and my kids!
-Shiny soul--finding that spiritual side of me.
-Shiny body--being healthy and letting 'ME' shine!
This is my first year, loving it already!!
Jess
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I often have trouble living in the moment. I am often focused on what I need to do next instead of being present to what I am doing now. At the same time I also struggle with being so focused on a task that I sometimes don't even see someone I know when I am in the same isle at the grocery store. So my word for this year is AWARENESS. I want to be aware of what I am doing at any given moment. I want to be aware of what I am feeling and of who is around me and what they may be feeling - most especially my family.
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My word this year is Home. As I read through the comments, I realize there is a lot of verbs. My word is not a verb, it's a noun. A place. And although I plan on having a lot of verbs help me in my focus, my word means more than just a noun. The word chose me, and I plan on blogging my way through the year as I focus on this word, this place, this noun and what it means to me, and how I plan on acheiving the ideal of home.
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intention
I have had the idea in my head, but couldn't find the right word to represent it. And just today, on 1.1.11 it came to me. Intention: what one plans to do or achieve.
perfect.
I have dreamed, I believe in my dreams,
in myself,
but now i wish to live with intention. to take that next step.
thank you for this idea
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Peace is my word.It has popped up several times here lately!!!
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Peace is my word for the New Year.It has appeard several times here lately so that will be my word
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My word is Balance....
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[...] for 2011 I wanted to find my one little word. I had kinda forgotten about it until Ali posted about her word for 2011 the other day. So tonight I was chatting with a friend about the idea and my word finally hit me [...]
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