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. Erika says…
    01/03/2011

    My one little word for 2011 is "story". For me this word can take on many forms, from listening the stories of others, documenting the stories of my family to writing my own story for my life. I am excited about this little word and am looking forward to how it will take shape in my life and the types of stories that will be uncovered.

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

    As I think about the things I want to do in 2011 - the word that came to me is FUN. if this is a word I focus on all year, it looks like we will certainly be enjoying this year to come!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. My One Little Word – 2011 says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] years ago, I was inspired by Ali Edwards to choose “One Little Word” for New Year instead of writing a long list of resolutions which I probably wouldn’t [...]

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

    Hi Ali, I have a question. I live in South Korea, is the One Word workshop still available for overseas 'one little worders' or is it not suitable? Thanks for the great idea, it makes me so expectant for this year!

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

      Sure! It's open to anyone :)

  5. Jen Matott says…
    01/03/2011

    I think I'm actually going to get into this in the new year! I looked for my word but actually, I think I need to seek this out for myself this year. Last year was soooo crazy. I felt that I was always stressed out and running around. So, my word this year is CALM. I need to seek out CALM for my soul, my family, and even in my hectic schedule. I need to remain calm in times of stress and disorder. If I can find some CALM this year, I think I will be a much happier person.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Ingrid says…
    01/03/2011

    My word is {cultivate}. My plans for 2011 include: Cultivating a garden in my oh-so-small yard (with the dream of having a farm one day). Cultivating my relationships with my husband, family and friends. Cultivating my own sewing and knitting projects and having a more "hand-made" life.

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

    RESTORE-so much in my life needs to be re-energized. I am very blessed...just need a little jolt to get me through the net 45 years.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Katie P says…
    01/03/2011

    hey ali, just curious. will you be making a One Little Word blinkie that we could possibly post on our blogs to show our participation?

    i know you are busy busy... last thing on your list most likely.
    just wondering.

    and my word this, my first year, is BELIEVE. as in - i totally believe in this. i CAN'T BELIEVE this... need to believe in myself a bit more, so glad my hubby believes in me, etc. feel like that word can be woven into the big and the small things in life. excited to see where it takes me.
    thanks!

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

    It's great to be joining in on this conversation! My OWL is serendipity - I love the idea of being more open to the the world around me and receptive to all it has to offer.

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

    CREATE...this word chose me several months ago. More time to create things with my hands is my starting point. I look forward to seeing how it manifests itself in my life.

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

    My one little word for 2010 was "dwell" - we hjad just moved into our new home, in a new town, in a new state... I needed to stop and enjoy it all.

    My one little work for 2011 is "grow" -- grow as a wife, grow from a family of 2 to a family of 3, grow in my walk with Christ... I've been hearing that still small voice in my heart, letting me know change is happening and that I need to be ready for life to stretch me. I'm ready for some growing pains to grow as a person :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. One Little Word for 2011 – Attitude « The Blog says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] year on her blog, Ali Edwards does One Little Word.  She chooses a specific word to live by or focus on for the year. As she [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. embrace {creativity} says…
    01/03/2011

    [...] Posted by Kanani on January 3, 2011 Leave a Comment Since choosing my one little word and reading Ali Edwards blog about her Light necklace created by Lisa Leonard I decided to create my very own necklace since I [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Nati says…
    01/03/2011

    WRITE - is my One Little Word for 2011. Write Life....I feel as though I don't write enough, and this word was on my mind around mid 2010 to now. So what better time than any to Write Life, write the everyday, write the good, the not so good and everything in between. I'm so excited to partake in the One Little Word journey this year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Fonda says…
    01/03/2011

    Moment. I've chosen this word in the past, and i don't think I've settled all about it I need to. I like that it has other words in it...mom, men, etc.
    Thanks for the great inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Nina says…
    01/03/2011

    My word is INVEST. I need to invest in myself more in 2011. And I need to take more care of my finances, so the word INVEST seemed most appropriate.

    Enjoying the OLW Big Picture Class so far, and I blogged about my word here: http://scrapsanctuary.typepad.com/scrap_sanctuary/2011/01/my-one-little-word-for-2011.html

    Thanks for your ongoing inspiration Ali, and a Happy 2011 to you and your family. May you enjoy a year filled with Light!

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

    my word is 'complete'
    i want to focus on truly completing things, being complete, finishing done moving on. not letting things hang over, lines thru the lists. a true feeling of accomplishment.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Fun Mama - Deanna says…
    01/03/2011

    My word this year will be Nurture. It chose me, but it also encompasses what I want to do with the year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. kT says…
    01/03/2011

    sliding mine in at the last moment!!

    GO

    the inspiration came from this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d1QFbQWAJY

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

    My OLW is: evolve.

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

    I have chosen two words for 2011:

    Frugal & Fun.

    Not necessarily together, but they are two strong themes in my goals right now. The last couple years have been very hard and very serious, I've learned my share of lessons and it's time to give back to myself with some FUN and the frugal part is building up my savings and enjoying a more simple life with less stuff and more moola in the piggy bank. :) Less is more!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. lisa says…
    01/03/2011

    stretch

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Linda C says…
    01/03/2011

    Allow...My only child is graduating from HS this year. I need to allow her to grow up, allow her to follow her own path and make her own mistakes. I need to allow myself the feelings of frustration, happiness, sadness and confusion that being an empty-nester will surely bring. Allow myself to see the possibilites that this change will bring into my life..new lifestyle, career opportunities, etc. Allow myself to let the changes happen and embrace the imperfection that change brings as I adjust.

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

      Love word and sentiments Linda :).

  24. lisa truesdell says…
    01/03/2011

    my word is open. open heart. open mind. open eyes. open arms.

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

    Well, I started writing my One Little Word blog post yesterday, thinking that 'be' would be my word for the year, for the reasons that I previously mentioned. But as I wrote, I realized that this year would be one of me concentrating on being free from fear and setting myself free from other things that have ensnared me. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that my word should be 'free.'

    Reply 0 Replies

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