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.
I haven't participated in the last year, but I think I should do it this year and even do it big! My word for this year is "COMFORTABLE".
My therapist has been using this word almost every visit. I need to do everything comfortably & easily. I need to find comfort in myself, and my body. I have had a body image issue since loosing 130 pounds. I have found that being skinny for the first time in my life has left me feeling exposed. I hope to find some place that is comfortable for me to exist in this new year, both physically and emotionally. I have to be comfortable in my thoughts, my being and in everything that I do. I want every task I take on to be a lesson in comfort and ease. I sincerely wish everyone the best with their choice this year and to you too Ali.
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IRON. My word for 2011 is 'iron'. The word chose me -- at Christmas this year my husband and I coincidentally gave to and received several cast-iron gifts from each other. The past year was one of our most challenging in our 13 (9 married) years together, but we endured. I feel like the power above greater than us were sending subtle reminders that our relationship is as strong as iron, and that together we can handle anything.
This is my favorite kind of word - awesome.
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HEALTHY. 2010 was a very rough year, and my health has been an issue for many years prior to that. This is the year to kick it into GOOD, once and for all. I'm also going to use the period (.) at the end of the word as a reminder that it's a definitive change for the better. HEALTHY, period.
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Control is my word. It seems that for the last couple of years or so all I've been doing is existing. Well not this year. I need to take the control back and be in charge of my own path. I need to be the strong independent woman I once was. I don't know where I took a wrong turn and just started existing . . . but no more! That is not the example I want to set for my 9 year old daughter and it is not how I want to live my life. I will take control back and get out of this rut I've been in for far too long!
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[...] goals and resolutions, I didn’t yet have a word. This year, Sage Cohen’s word is GRACE. Ali Edwards‘ is LIGHT. I was at a loss. Doing the Pooh Bear, “thinkthinkthink.” And then, it [...]
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My word for 2011 is ZEN. In the past years I've accumulated so much stuff and taken in too many things on my to-do list that it leaves me "cluttered" and "scattered". This year I'd like to live a "ZEN-like" life. Less stuff, deeper appreciation of the simpler things in life and aiming for harmony in all its aspects.
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Wow,I am loving this. I first heard about this from my neice who published this on her facebook. I was a bit intrigued about what this project was so searched it and found your website. As I was reading you describe what this project was a word just got into my head and it wouldn't leave my mind as I am still reading your site.
One word for the year, seemed like a hard decision to make but this word in my head kept getting louder. So I think that is my word for the year.
"Strength"
Alot of my new years resolutions in a way deal with strength.
Strength to make me better: physically and mentally.
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READY
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Thank you for being such an inspiration! Starting anew in 2011 the word I selected is PURPOSE - I want to live each day of my life with "purpose" because we never know what tomorrow will bring. I also want to figure out what "my purpose" is here on earth. You inspired me to start a journal for 2011 --- something I have never done before. I have shared it with our customer base and have linked them back to your post here and challenged them to select one word to empower them this coming year as well. Thank you!
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EMBRACE. Rather than resist change, Embrace it. Rather than keeping distance from those around me, embrace the love, friendship, affection and the lessons that they offer. Embrace my children, and my faith more. And to embrace opportunities as they come rather than shy away, fear, or resist them.
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[...] year, Ali Edwards does a project called One Little Word. For the last few years, I’ve picked a word I want to define my life during the [...]
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My word for this year is 'perseverance'.
'Letting go' ('loslaten', see, it is one word in Dutch! ;-) ) was my word last year, and I let go of a lot, physical and emotional.
Now I need perseverance, so that's going to be my word. I'm going to say it to myself a lot, when I need it. :)
And I love the sound of it too. It's just beautiful!
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I've never joined in on this before although I've always liked reading other people's ideas, however, 2011 is bringing a word to me that I really want to apply to several areas of my life.
My word is "COMPLETION"...
I have a horrible habit of starting things and never finishing them...never seeing them through to "completion"..running and exercise goals, craft projects, home projects, good intention, service...
SO, I'm jumping aboard and ready for the journey!
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My one little word is *joy* It seems like everywhere I've turned in the last few weeks JOY was there where I least expected it. I'm looking forward to seeking out even more joy in 2011.
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My focus word for this year is "finish". I have a list of things to accomplish this year and they are all things I have started but not finished. I'm going to finish the kitchen, finish going through my mom's stuff, finish creating my books, finished my Tunisian crochet blanket, finish my quilts, etc. That isn't nearly all of it but almost anything of any importance in my life right now involves the word "Finish".
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This is my first year doing this. I have chosen the word soar. I want to soar in two areas this year one at work and one in photography!
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I've decided to commit to a word this year for the first time: Gratitude. I chose it to be a daily reminder of all the blessings I have been given and hope that it will be a gentle prompt for me to live a more actively grateful and joyful life.
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My word for 2011 is HOPE (in Norwegian,HÅP)
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My word is REFLECT...for many reasons. :)
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Late to the party, but my word for 2011 is "embrace".
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Finish is what popped out at me. I was looking a a wonderful picture of me crossing a finish line and the word took on many meanings. If I were to pick a second word, it would be laugh. Cuz I just need to do it more.
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I am enjoying reading everyone's words and had a long short list of "borrowed" words ready to choose from, but a different word has found me: it's CHOICES. I want to remind myself that everything I do or don't do is a choice. I'm interested to see where it will take me. Might have to get my silver clay out and make a little charm or something.
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My word for 2011 is grow. Grow as a person, a wife, and hopefully a mom, which means I'll have to grow a baby. Grow our own veggies, grow new plants, grow in my knowledge, grow my heart bigger and be more forgiving. My word chose me again this year... :)
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My word is a Dutch word...as I am dutch...
NEST, I think it means the same in your language...
Creating a new home, we are moving in April. I am also looking for rest in my nest to be with my two children and enjoy life.
NEST will also be the name of handmade beauty made of wool, felt, embroidery...that I am making and planning to make in my own NEST. A place I still own in the middle of Amsterdam where I can be creative on my own.
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I have been reading these comments for the last three days now but without finding my word. I made a list and printed it out - but nothing fitted.
The word "new" was in that list too and I was thinking of choosing that one; but while doing some research of it I recognised it must have been the word for 2010 (even though I didn't take part)!
I was frustrated.
And finally today - while doing the dishes and having my hands in dirty water - it came to my mind: STRENGTH
I had some situations last year in which I nearly "lost" because of the lack of strength to carry on! That has to be changed. Now; well, in 2011! What a goal for me! Cant wait to start!
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