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!
My word this year is Build. I want to build relationships, build memories, build traditions with my daughter and husband, build life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I was reading the description of this class in an email that I got weeks ago. While I was reading it, I thought how in the h*ll does someone pick a word to focus on for the entire year? Just as I was thinking that "Strength" popped into my head. So, I am going to take this class and Strength is going to be my word. Wierd how that kinda stuff works out, isn't it? Dori
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am thinking my olw will be MORE for 2012
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Good choice Ali. My word is Free. I am going to set myself free in 2012. I'll free myself from the hurt of peoples opinions that don't have a position affect in my life and or on things I plan to do. I will give myself the freedom to make my own choices and accept whatever those choices bring. I'll be free of the past and open myself up to create the life I truly want to live.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I have only been doing one little word since 2009 but I love it. My word for 2012 is "Satisfied". I want to really know when I am satisfied in eating, relationships, spending etc. Not always yearning wanting more. Content seemed complacent to me so I chose Satisfied and it feels right. Thank you for starting this trend. By the way, I have a wonderful shop at etsy that paints me a 4x4 canvas of each year and a word picture to go with it. This year is a chaise lounge, lamp and a book...that symbolizes satisfied to me!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I just had an email but I deleted it already. It talked about all the definitions of UP and how it's one of the most used words. Even in contridictory terms like: its clouding up and its clearing up. So I'm sure you'll be able to find many uses foe you word.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My OLW is "home." I want to work on finding my creative home, tending the relationships that are my home, and fixing up my physical home.
Rinda
I really like your choice! So much of what I want to inspire in me with choosing this year's word is centered around my home - projects, decluttering, decorating and enjoying - I might have to borrow your idea!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is APERATURE. I've enjoyed selecting both nouns and verbs in the past and 2012 seems like a noun time for me. I've found that nouns often give way to more meanings and interpretations for me and I'm looking forward to finding new interpretations of who I am in 2012. For sure I will begin a new job, hopefully doing something new to me (I'm hoping big hopes for this)! A technical definition for aperature is the opening in a camera lens that adjusts to let in light. I love the idea of adjusting my openness in 2012. In a literal sense, I have a new dSLR and I'm also looking forward to getting to know it better by taking some classes and practicing. Here's to 2012, everyone! It will be a lovely one :)
Love this word -- great choice!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
"Enjoy" - after year filled with moving into our new home and doing lots of painting, redecorating, landscaping, etc. plus having our youngest daughter get married and all that a wedding entails, it is definitely time for me to "enjoy" the fruits of our labor. I asked my husband what his word would be and he did not hesitate to say, "RELAX!"
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is likely to be "DO" or "ACT". So many times I think of things to do - even if it is just to call someone or to drop them a note or to visit etc. I have many crafting things I would like to do but for various reasons I never get started.... I would really like to turn all those good intentions into actions and I would like to explore what sometimes holds me back - fear; shyness; questioning my motifs; scared of how gesture may be seen.... feel it would be worthwhile to explore all these questions and this might help
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is design.
It chose me. I was reading a book about course design and the chapter started with the following definition for design: "To plan with purpose and intent; execute" and I thought that is exactly what I want for 2012!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
The word that chose me for 2012 is "Surrender" - accept, embrace, welcome, lay down (my own will). 2011 was a very hard year for me. My #3 daughter had moved away and was engaged to be married and then he called off the wedding 6 weeks prior to the wedding, I brought home a heart-broken daughter; my #2 daughter and my baby boy moved away; my mother passed away after a 12 yr battle with cancer; I had to move in with my dad (who has dementia) to take care of him; I lost my job without notice after 7 1/2 yrs; I had to put my house up for sale since I was living with my dad. So, as my sweet man always says, "We plan, God laughs". After all the planning I had done for my life, I have realized that God has other plans for me and I must surrender my will to His.
Linda, It is so interesting that you commented on my word and then your word was Surrender. I thought about surrendering a lot in 2011 and am still just trying to come to grips with the concept and exactly what it means to surrender. Good luck in your journey.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
my word for 2012 is "savor." I look forward to seeing where it leads me as i savor each moment of life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is change. I have been through a rough period for the last few years and am ready for change.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is Faith.
I feel as if I have let this part of me slip away the past couple of years. After having a pretty rough 2011, i'm finding Faith is a strong foundation and I need to find this again to gain some peace and to be able to enjoy and embrace all that I have in my life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is Faith.
I feel as if I have let this part of me slip away the past couple of years. After having a pretty rough 2011, i’m finding Faith is a strong foundation and I need to find this again to gain some peace and to be able to enjoy and embrace all that I have in my life.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word will be PLACE. I need to find my place again. My life has changed dramatically since I really had a firm grasp on my place. So much seems out of whack much of the time. I need a place outside of the home. A career that I will actually love. I need to redefine and find my place within myself for inner peace, motivation, and determination. All of my wonderful attributes need to shine once again instead overshadowed by anxiety, frustration, and a sense of being overwhelmed and rushed. Things in my home and life need a proper place. My place, my home, needs to be a reflection of me and all the things I love. All of my places need purpose and balance.
My word has already revealed itself to me; however, I love your word. I feel very displaced these days and I can so relate. Excellent word.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is LIVE. I want to take 2012 and simply live...not to worry so much, not to think so much...to just live...to enjoy life, to have a blast, or take in everything as life can be just way too short (that I learned in 2011). So my word has to be LIVE...to pursue a positive satisfying existence, enjoy life; to truly live!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Transition. This is my year of change. I turned 50 this year, sold my home, moving to a different structure and environment. Working on making alot of positive changes- trying to do more with less- eliminating the clutter of thoughts and things-bringing it back to focusing on what really matters.
Excellent choice!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Somehow "cha cha" popped into my head. Not the dance, just the word.... hmmmm... perhaps that could be my code word for living it up a little, trying new things? Cha cha it is!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
anyone having trouble with the site tonight ?
Sign in or sign up to comment.
oh, amd my word is "trust" ...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is integrity:
adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.
This is my year to establish personal integrity, and to become a whole, entire and undiminished person.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2012 is Believe. I need to believe that the decisions I am making are going to result in good things for my future. I need to believe in myself and my abilities. I need to believe that things are going to be ok.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Love your word!
My word for 2012 is ONE. I am overwhelmed by all the things I need to do- lose weight, organize my home, etc. But, I realized they will get done by doing ONE thing at a time. Pick up ONE thing at home, eat ONE less piece of candy, excercise ONE time.. well, you get the idea!
Excellent word!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.