One Little Word 2012


Poster print via Poster Inspired.

My word for 2012 is up.

It came to me one day last month while I was working in the kitchen and the kids were watching the movie Up. My initial connection to the word stems from the part towards the end where the old man is looking at the scrapbook his wife made and a note she wrote to him at the end which says something along the lines of "Thanks for the adventure. Now go have a new one." (Found the clip here.)

That's the attitude I'd like to be working towards and embracing in 2012 - giving thanks for the things that were great about my marriage and then moving forward and welcoming whatever is coming next.

Up | ready, eager, open, awake, into a happy mood

There were so many words I could have chosen for what I want for myself in 2012. This one simply feels like a good starting place. I will also be carrying three of my past words close to my heart again in 2012: light, story, and peace.

Are you considering selecting a word for yourself (or letting one find you)? 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 2012. 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 days I'll combine all the words into a single post - super inspiring to see all the words in one place.

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, 2010 and 2011.

Above is an image of all my prompts from my album that I made for my One Little Word class at Big Picture in 2011.

Registration is open for 2012 and you're invited to join the journey.

Each month you'll receive a prompt with a simple creative, writing, or photography 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, 2012.


TODAY'S POST SPONSORED BY | Simplify 101 Online Workshops

Regardless what word you select, choosing a word means you want to make your life even better than it is today. The very essence of One Little Word is improving your life, which is why this online workshop is perfect for you. It gives you the foundation, ideas and inspiration you need to dream about a life you love, plus concrete action steps to help you make it happen! Use code: ONELITTLEWORD through January 6, 2012 to take 15% off any simplify 101 workshop (may not be combined with other offers). ABOUT SIMPLIFY 101 | Founded by Aby Garvey, the co-author of The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, simplify 101’s mission is to make getting organized fun!

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986 thoughts

  1. April says…
    12/27/2011

    Mine is self-control. I really need to work on this!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. mrshobbes says…
    12/27/2011

    Hi Ali! I think your word is amazing and apropos for what sounds like the opening of a new adventure :) I'd been thinking about my word for the last few weeks and was gravitating towards two, but in the end I choose MOVE. There are many ways I want to move--mentally, physically, emotionally, etc.

    Here's my pinterest board to help inspire me throughout the year: http://pinterest.com/mrshobbes/one-little-word/

    I hope to save enough so I can join your class next year! I'd love to be with other people as we all strive to be our best selves :)

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Andrea says…
      12/29/2011

      LOVE THIS!!! I made a board too when my word found me.

      http://pinterest.com/andreareyes/shine-2012/

    2. Jamie Fisher says…
      12/27/2011

      BEYOND-LOVE your board!!!!!!!!!!! <3

  3. Amanda says…
    12/27/2011

    Last year was "beautiful" this year is "worship".

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Suzanne says…
    12/27/2011

    My word is Go. Well, sort of Go!...but really both. It seems as though I spend a ton of time preparing, but not enough time doing (which really became apparent during December...so much to do, but what have I really done?) So go to me represents the idea of getting out and doing...enjoying time with my kids, and my husband, and taking time for myself. Which, is the Go! portion...I've registered to run my first marathon this April, the GO! St. Louis Marathon. So I really do need to lace up my shoes and Go, so I can cross that finish line a proud 40 year old mama!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jill B says…
    12/27/2011

    Last year, my word was devotion. My goal was to commit and dedicate myself to what was important to me with great love and light.I am just now getting the ability to make a commitment and keep it. This year, my word will be "deep"- to deepen my devotion to my priorities, deepen my yoga and meditation practice, and deepen my understanding of myself so that I may reveal to others the depths of who I am.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Patti says…
    12/27/2011

    I am having trouble coming up with my word. This will be my 1st year to participate, and I'm hoping OWL will help me make some major changes in my life. In the past 2 years, I have lost my husband (at age 48, after a 6-wk cancer battle), moved (to a large city), started a new job, bought a house on my own, lost my mother (a few days before Christmas last year), and become an empty-nester. The past 2 years I have simply survived.

    I'm ready for that to change. I want to be more deliberate, more focused, more positive, more future-oriented, healthier (physically and emotionally), etc. I want my life to actually reflect my belief system. I want to stop going through the motions.

    So if anyone knows the perfect word for me, I hope they'll share. :)

    Reply 4 Replies
    1. Patti says…
      12/27/2011

      Dawn, thank you for your kind words and your suggestions. I finally found my word and posted further down about why. But the word is "authentic" -- I want an authentic faith and walk in that it is true to the model Christ gave us. I also want to discover who I am, what makes me authentic as a person, not as a wife/widow, mother, etc., and my authentic life and then live it. I don't even know who I am anymore (so cliched, I know, but true). Again, thank you so much!!

    2. dawn says…
      12/27/2011

      I had to comment and just say WOW you have gone thru so much in your life. I'm so sorry about the passing of your husband and mom, that must be hard. Sounds like you are embracing the changes and making it work for yourself which is awesome. What a great time to choose a word for yourself and explore it and have something new to focus on this new year. Just by reading your comment my suggestion would be to choose a word about going forward:
      future
      forward
      embrace
      hope
      focus
      believe (this is my word this year)
      faith
      healthy ( you just used that word)
      healing

      Those are just what popped out while reading your comment. You might need to think it over more and see what is speaking to you or wait for a word to come to you. Just reading these comments from everyone also helps give you ideas. I love reading them.
      Good luck on whatever you choose and in your New Year. Taking this class I think is a good step for you.
      p.s. just thought of STRONG you are strong for what you've been thru and want to keep staying strong thru the year.
      Would love to know what you end up picking out, let me know.
      hugs and prayers
      dawn

    3. dawn says…
      12/27/2011

      Patti, I'm so sorry for the losses you've had. What a perfect time for you to pick a word and use it for the New Year. Sounds like many changes in your life already yet you seem positive which is good. What a good time for you to focus on a word and explore it for the new year. Here are some that come to mind:
      future
      be (be present, be in the moment, be accountable)
      strong, you already are and need to still be
      faith
      embrace
      focus
      live ( really live now and not just going thru the motions)
      breathe
      hope
      listen ( to yourself and others and your heart)
      trust
      happy (be happy and choose to be everyday)

      these are just some that just popped out at me, take the time to think more about what you want in 2012 and see what word speaks the loudest to you or you feel it in your heart. Reading the comments here also helps give you ideas.
      I think your off to a good start for the new year and wish you good luck and prayers for your journey. Would love to know what word you end up choosing, let me know.
      hugs Dawn

    4. dawn says…
      12/27/2011

      Patti,

      So glad you found a word and I love love it. Sorry for the double comments, my computer was freezing on me and wouldn't post so I tried to rewrite the same thing fast before it would freeze again. LOL it posted twice anyhow, dang computer.

      I think this word will work wonderfully for you and so good that you are finding out who you are right now. I thought about your comment all day and even had more ideas that popped into my head thru the day.

      Early last year I took an online class and my teacher is very authentic and so amazing. I've seen her blossom this year and into this word. So I wish the same for you this year.

      Good luck and if you'd like to stay in touch I'd love that. You can email me at rikm@adelphia.net

      Thanks for letting me know you found a word.

  7. Suzie says…
    12/27/2011

    Love your one little word. Last year mine was courage, I wanted to stop being shy & just letting opportunities go by. Which I did, I am now in a dream job & doing things I always wanted to do. This year my one little word is service, Iam going to endeavour to live more like Jesus did in service of others. A year of looking beyond myself.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Traci says…
    12/27/2011

    My OLW for this year is Purpose. Do things with purpose. Do not waste energy by being disorganized and not following through. Stop being lazy, it only hurts yourself, your wallet and your time management.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. emily ruth says…
    12/27/2011

    help...that's my word. i've had quite a few years of taking care of what i need & while that's a great thing to do i'm feeling like it's time to turn more outward...so i'm thinking: help when someone asks, help when someone doesn't ask, help my kids be themselves, help my husband with what i can, help people who can't, help people who can, help my neighbors, help my friends... & to ask for help when i need it... this one feels really right.

    i love yours too, ali... makes me think that there may be some balloon bouquets in your future :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Louise says…
    12/27/2011

    Love your new word Ali, your whole attitude to life is so inspiring. My word will be balance.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Lisa says…
    12/27/2011

    ignite ~ to set in motion; to begin to glow; to render luminous

    Ignition can be a gentle, smouldering act or it can be a violent explosion. I need both in my life to change some things, to begin some things, and to let go of some things.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Greisy says…
    12/27/2011

    My word is trust... trust myself, my husband, GOD. This ending year I realize that I needed to trust more and immediately knew that this word was the one for 2012.
    Thank you Ali for this project :)
    Happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Stephanie says…
    12/27/2011

    My word this next year is transform. This year has brought many challenges and it's time to take the dregs of what's left and turn them into something worthwhile. It's going to take a lot of work. But, I'm ready and looking forward to making it happen.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. char says…
    12/27/2011

    Mine will be kindness.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. alwayscharlie says…
    12/27/2011

    My word for 2012 is 'attitude'. I think the attitude we take in each and every situation impacts our life as much as the situation itself. I need to adjust my attitude to be accepting in some areas, determined in others and of course positive overall.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Carrie S. says…
      12/27/2011

      I've also picked attitude for my word. Good luck in your OLW journey.

  16. Tammy says…
    12/27/2011

    Courage- The word came to me during last Sunday's service at church. Our pastor was preaching on 3 girfts that God gives us all-the first he spoke of was courage. I seem to get stuck in a comfort zone, but this year am calling on God's courage to move me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Christina says…
    12/27/2011

    Hi Ali,
    UP is a great word. Wish you a wonderful journey!

    My word 2012 is LIGHT, it found me in autumn 2011 when i have my olw-battle "less is more". I will lost pounds and i will live healthy and i search the light around me and inside me.

    I can´t wait to begin my adventure.

    I wish you all a happy new year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Sandra says…
    12/27/2011

    My word is trust.
    I was reading your article when this word simply popped in my thoughts. I am not sure what the next year holds for me and my family but I am trusting God loves and cares for us and has plans for my family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Lisa says…
    12/27/2011

    Ali, best of the best wishes to you for 2012. May your one little word inspire you when you are down.

    Each year I have chosen a word and each one has had such a personal and profound meaning. This year ... my word is READY. I am finally READY. READY to embrace. READY to love. READY to grow.

    I am ready for 2012.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Noreen says…
    12/27/2011

    I picked two -- celebrate & grow. Celebrate - because sometimes I get bogged down in the day to day stuff and forget to celebrate all the blessings, big & small. And Grow because, well I know I need to grow and want certain things to change.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. joeynumber41 says…
    12/27/2011

    truth.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Susanne Huettner says…
    12/27/2011

    My word for 2012 is INTUITION. Hopefully I can find some answers, not by searching for them, but by feeling deeply that it is just right to do something.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Mary H. says…
    12/27/2011

    This is my first year with OLW. My word is COURAGE. I want to have courage to make a difference, courage to speak out, courage to live MY life. Can't wait to get started on this class.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Tamara says…
    12/27/2011

    my 2012 word is "document". it truly found me as i venture deeper into photography and writing. i am so excited for the new year and to see where the journey leads me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Cindi says…
    12/27/2011

    DISCIPLINE is my word for 2012. I'm on a personal journey of self-improvement towards goals I have set for myself. One of my goals is to be a healther fitter me. I've lost 43 pounds since the beginning of August. As my journey continues, I find it harder to stay on track. I am always focused on my goal but I'm not always disciplined. Sometimes the easy way is just more convenient when I'm exhaused from wearing my many hats. I need to discipline myself even when I'm out of energy to do so. The rewards are so worth it.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. judyC says…
      12/28/2011

      43# since August............KUDOS!!!! that's a wowzer! do you know about sparkpeople.com? that site mite help you with your focus on ur weight goal! good job!!!!

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