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.

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1654 thoughts

  1. Pat Byers says…
    01/02/2011

    I am a new visitor who was not familiar with this one word concept for a new year. I embrace it. After a couple difficult floundering years, I need a word. My word is DIRECTION and in capital letters. I actually wrote this 3 weeks ago, and in finding your blog today, reinforced for me, my goals for 365 days. Direction..it is fitting.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Cheryl says…
    01/03/2011

    ABUNDANCE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Tracy says…
    01/03/2011

    CONNECT

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Janine Fox says…
    01/03/2011

    My word is surrender - as in letting go the need for control

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. One Little Word | This Black Thread says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] with last year, I am adopting Ali Edward’s One Little Word for my own personal use, and for 2011 have chosen (or it chose me) , the word [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. tina fellman says…
    01/03/2011

    My one little word for the new year is "LEARN"..After reading your blog, and LEARNING about "one little word" and LEARNING what one little word can do for you, and wanting to LEARN many more techniques for my love of scrapping, it hit me that LEARN is the perfect word for me. I am very excited about this word, and all the wonderful things that are going to come my way this year because I will be "LEARNING". You can never learn to much!!!
    thank you

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Maria says…
    01/03/2011

    My word for 2011 will be: "Clarity."

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. OLW 2011 « TWO WRITING TEACHERS says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] For more information about One Little Word, check out this post by Ali Edwards. [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Lorretta says…
    01/03/2011

    My word is simply FAITH.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Kasondra says…
    01/03/2011

    I'm stuck between two words at the moment. Possibility and Opportunity.The end of 2010 and the start of this year have already presented some things that are very difficult to understand the why and I am thinking something to remind me that every closed door is a new start might be just what I need in the coming year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Rach says…
    01/03/2011

    A little late with this but my word for 2011 is believe. To believe in myself, to believe I can do anything and achieve all that I want to achieve.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Emily says…
    01/03/2011

    Mindful. It's taken me a few days to find my word. This year I want to simplify, organize, and enjoy life more. Working full time for the first time in 5 years, being a mom and wife, going to grad school makes time very limited and precious for me. This weekend while cleaning the garage the word finally came to me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Marcia says…
    01/03/2011

    My word is STRENGTH

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Announcing the Word of the year « scrapped out and busted says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] the word came to me while I was cleaning out the garage with my husband. I explained the one little word thing by Ali and how I wanted a good word, that was more than inspiring. And he really got into and as we [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Invite: to increase the likelihood of at scmorgan says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] your One Little Word? [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. 2010 one little word - Sarah with an "h" says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] keep me on track with my resolutions, I decided to focus on one word for the year.  Like Ali Edwards, and many other, focusing on one word helps give direction towards goals.  For me, I hope my [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Marit says…
    01/03/2011

    I've been following your blog now and then, but this is the first time I comment... My word of 2010 was SMILE and it totally was a year filled with laughter (even better then smiles huh!)
    My word for this year is AWARENESS - I thought I'd let you know this time. Happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Word of the Year: Beauty says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] 2011 is here. And I have decided to choose a word/theme for the year, thanks to Ali Edwards and other bloggers. I like the idea of having one word in the back of my mind to learn from and [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Mandy Ford says…
    01/03/2011

    My word for this year is going to be "action." I have lived most of my life being afraid to try new things and even putting off things I know how to do for some unknown fear or just pure procrastination or laziness. I am determined to make this a year of action! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. katie says…
    01/03/2011

    my word this year is COMPLETE. you can read about it here: http://katemadedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/its-all-about-words.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. kitchu says…
    01/03/2011

    oh! if only i'd known of your existence prior to this very minute, now much i would have loved to register for your workshop! it sounds like just the way to celebrate this entire year.

    since i can't be a part of it, though- here is my word: abundance.

    so glad to have found this space.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      01/03/2011

      Hi Kitchu - just so you know you can register for the class anytime throughout the year ;).

  22. Amanda D says…
    01/03/2011

    I wasn't planning on choosing one word for the year but with my resolution this one makes sense and it's been in my head for the past few days: Finish

    My resolution is to be a finisher - finish the laundry instead of leaving it sitting folded in the basket, finish cleaning the kitchen instead of leaving the counter unwiped, finish that scrapbook project, finish that quilt, etc.

    I hope to put the word "Finish" in a few different places as a reminder for me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. One Little Word 2011 « Cristina Tonon says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] A Ali vem propondo essa ideia desde 2007 e você pode clicar nos links para ler e compreender melhor: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Clare says…
    01/03/2011

    Rejoice is my word for 2011.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. cristinatonon says…
    01/03/2011

    My word for this year are Vitality, and i hope be with it.

    Reply 0 Replies

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