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. Amy says…
    12/27/2011

    My word for 2012 is Shine. It came to me one day while listening to, of all things, and Eminem song (which after listening to it again, doesn't even have the word.) I thought about how I want to let myself shine this year and show who I really am. I thought about This Little Light of Mine and another song about faith that talks about letting the Son shine on you and I really feel that I need to strengthen my faith. So this word is perfect for me!

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

      Amy, what Eminem song was that, if you don't mind me asking? My word this year is also SHINE, so I was just curious.

  2. Barbara Parkhurst says…
    12/27/2011

    My word is rejuvenate. There are so many areas in my life that could use a bit of a spring clean, a freshening up, a renewal of gratitude . . . Yup - 2012 the year of rejuvenating! How exciting!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Cat says…
    12/27/2011

    Amazing! My word for 2012 is HEALTH. I want a healthier body, a healthier spirit and a healthier home. It's been a rough 2011 and things need to change.

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

    LEAP popped into my mind last week and won't let me go. I don't know exactly why, I'm not sure what it will mean for me, but I think that's the word I'll be carrying through 2012.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Glady Anne says…
    12/27/2011

    LOVE this idea!!!!
    I'm starting to ponder my word now! I'll post when I figure it out. This is such a great idea. Hmmm....now what will my word be??

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

    My word for this year is LOVE. Sometimes it is easy to say - but I am not always good at showing. Lots of kisses and hugs this year to the people I love.

    I also picked an anti-word for the year. A word I am not going to use. I am not going to use the word "busy". I notice that people (myself included) use busy as an excuse, as a filler in conversations (e.g. someone asks you how you are and you respond "busy"), and/or to sound important. I am taking "busy" out of my vocabulary and trying to find a different way to respond.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Tammy says…
    12/27/2011

    Great word, Ali. I wish all the peace and goodness in the world for you in this coming year.

    My word for 2012 is MOVE. I am excited about my long awaited move from TN back to FL, I also need to focus on fitness and exercise and moving more and I also have some things that I need to move on from and to greet my future with an open heart. So many possibilities for me this year -- I am ready to embrace 2012!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. tara pollard pakosta says…
    12/27/2011

    You have such a great attitude, I am sure that is so hard! But I am so proud of you and you should be so proud of yourself too!
    Much love, peace and hope to you this coming year, Ali!
    love,
    tara

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Robin says…
    12/27/2011

    my word is "create"

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

    My word is melt after finding this definition- to pass, change, or blend gradually (often followed by into ): Night melted into day.

    Excitied to see what it brings me this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Ann T says…
    12/27/2011

    I'm still working on my one little word. Next year will be a lot of new experiences and firsts. This would be my first year trying OLW so I want to make sure I pick the right word. a
    I love the word Up.

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

    My word for 2012 is SMILE. This year has been really hard (three surgeries, bad economic prospects, the divorce of my eldest sister, etc). I am not an optimistic person, but i need to convince myself that I can smile, even when things go wrong.
    Smile for me means: courage and faith in the future.

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

    Well, I am considering "Consistent" but it isn't exactly singing to me. LOL I had Routine last year and I totally washed out on the whole thing including the class at BPC. I think this was a case of me choosing what I 'should' do instead of something that really spoke to me. I'm a little worried that consistent has the same weakness. I know if I was generally consistent with the good things I know to do, I'd make great progress and it might help me avoid the perfectionist procrastination syndrome I struggle with. Wish I was more excited about it though...

    Ali, you are an inspiration. What a great attitude to take forward into the next chapter. You are going to be great!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Peg says…
      12/27/2011

      Hmmmmm...now the word Flourish is coming up for me again. I like that better....LOL What to do, what to do!

  14. Brynn Marie says…
    12/27/2011

    After a lot of soul searching I have decided my word for 2012 is Passion. I want to find the passion in my art, profession and personal life again. I feel like the last year or so I have just been going through the motions and I need to be excited and passionate about what I love again.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Teresa Lynn Cotterman says…
      12/27/2011

      What a great word. Good luck to you!!!

  15. Mary-Anne Olivier says…
    12/27/2011

    For 2012 I have chosen the word "trust". There are two things for me about this word. And both stem from the following: The Bible speaks of a good woman and it states that in Proverbs 31v10 that, "A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it." MSG Following this it also states in Proverbs 3v5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." NKJV

    Let me explain why these two things are so relevant in my life: I am 26 turning 27 in 2012, fell pregnant at 24 and have married someone I knew for 3 months before falling pregnant. Before this I worked after getting my degree but stayed at home and had life easy. I stayed at home - rent free, groceries covered, laundry done and in my cupboard and my parents were quite happy to do this for me. So when I got married I felt like the transition from single girl living life spending my own money and making decisions that impacted me only, to a married mom in a matter of months. My husband and I felt the growing pains of a marriage as heavily as labour pains. After 2 years we have finally come to place that we getting to a place where I feel like I want to be in married. Bearing in mind my husband is 8 years older than I am, and has lived by himself for many years, was not used to this little lady not pulling her weight around the house and making good sound decisions that was good for our marriage. This had led to much conflict and has led to a break down in my husband trusting me to make the right decisions. to cut a long story short, I am finally growing up to be the wife I am supposed to be, not matching my husbands standards rather than that of the Lord's. From this I have understood the need to trust in the Lord and not in man. This has been my personal journey and can only say that I am here through constant prayer and seeking the Lords plan for my life. Through my post I did not mean to offend anyone. This has been my journey and hope that I can find inspiration for everyone who is on this journey no matter where in the world we are.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Carol says…
    12/27/2011

    My word is "let it go" say it altogether really fast! Letitgo

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

    My word is perspective.

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

    My word is SHINE. I want my light to shine, but also the light of God to shine through me.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Teresa Lynn Cotterman says…
      12/27/2011

      Love this choice!!!

  19. Tina says…
    12/27/2011

    I am new to this. I thought I would try and see how it turns out. I have chosen the word 'Commit' Since I am a procrastinator, maybe this would will help me to commit to the things I am thinking about doing but don't follow through with. If this word is constant in my life this year maybe it will help me to stop procratinating...let's hope. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Kelly McCord says…
    12/27/2011

    My word this year will be WISDOM

    I think I could use a little more in my life this year.

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

    My word will be STORY (actually HISTOIRE in French).
    In 2011, I discovered a way to document our lives together as a family and for me it's all part of our story, a part of my way to live. Now, I want to find a way to invite my husband and my kids to the process!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Rachel Del Grosso says…
    12/27/2011

    My word for 2012 is "Everyday" because after one heck of a year I'm ready to settle into a routine and really begin to carve out my life with my husband as I inch closer towards the first anniversary of my move from Canada to Las Vegas, and I want to do a better job of photographing that. There is beauty in the everyday.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Lola says…
    12/27/2011

    What an inspiration you are...to look for the good in your marriage is a great gift to give yourself and your children.

    My word is likely to be "story" or "light". Both of these words have been swirling on my mind for quite some time. Or perhaps it will be a presently unknown word...I will just have to wait and see.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Lisa Browning says…
    12/27/2011

    "Act" or "Action" (leaning towards "Act"). This year, my word was "downsize", and I am still trying to do just that. Declutter, simplify. I haven't reached that goal yet. I wanted my word this year to be different but yet complement this year's word. I think "act" does that. So much of the time, I don't follow through on my plans. This year, I want to "act".

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

    my word for 2012 is TRUST. to remind me to trust in the One who's plans are so much bigger than my own. and to remind me that trusting is an active decision... i choose to trust.

    Reply 0 Replies

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