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!
I think my word will be Present.
Present
To give myself the present of health, physical and mental
To live in the present and let go of past wounds
To be present with my children
To jump in fearlessly when opportunities present themselves
To give to others
To present myself authentically to the world
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First time commenter. My word for 2011 was GRATITUDE. My word for 2012 is going to be NURTURE. Nurture of self -mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically. Nurture of relationships - the marital relationship, friendships, the mother-son relationship. Nurture of body, mind, spirit. Nurture of my relationship with God.
For me 2011 was about picking up the pieces and being Thankful and Grateful as I went along. 2012 is going to be all about taking it a step further and tending to it. Looking after it. Nurturing it.
I am going to be writing a blog post this weekend about my year of NURTURE.
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family
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Love the movie Up, cry like a baby every time. Are you using this word in your Project Life at all? I'm not sure if I want to take the class because I'm going to be doing my first PL, and I really want to follow through with it. :) If I pick a word for myself, what are some ways I can use it?
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I have been thinking about OLW and the coming year recently and no one word seems to speak to me just yet. I don't feel entirely done with my word from last year: BREATHE. However, hubby continuously tells me I need to RELAX and have PATIENCE.So perhaps one of those two will end up being the word for 2012. Just a couple more days to see which one is the right word for the coming year.
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My word is "Joy."
My husband's word is "Faith."
My mom's word is "Fun."
I am looking forward to taking the class and having the monthly reminders. I've talked it up so much that my husband and mom picked words, as well. I am also getting the book "Awakening Joy." I am really excited about next year.
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FORWARD.
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My word for 2012 is WITHIN. I, too, am in the process of a divorce after 11 years of marriage and 3 kids. I chose WITHIN to remind myself to let out the beautiful woman within me, rather than the hurt, depressed, and sad woman that I've been the last year or so. I also want to heal my heart within me. Thank you for sharing your story, Ali. Many blessings to you and your children in this new year!
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Cherish will be my word for 2012...it just came to me last night and I know that it is just right for me now and that it can apply to many areas in my life. Thank you, Ali, for your continued inspiration and encouragement!
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my word will be "ready". it seems unexpected things always happen to me, so above all i want to be more emotionally and mentally ready for anything, as well as physically. what a tall order, but i'm up for it!
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I have had a word of the year for years (last year my word was "Joy.") I think having a focal point really helps you remain mindful (keeps your mind full of what you deem worthy.) My word this year is "Here." I choose this word because I want to be very cognizant of the moments as they occur, be in the "here" and now as the now is happening. I read 'Real Moments' by Barbara DeAngelis back in the nineties and she really impressed upon me that multitasking (which was not even an expression back then) is not always a good thing. As women we rarely do only one thing at at time, and in our race to accomplish as much as possible in the moments we get, we miss so much. So, I am going to strive to be more in the "here" this year and enjoy the real moments of everyday life.
Love that you mentioned that book. I ready it a long time ago at a totally different point in my life and it has stuck with me for many years. Now it feels more timely than ever. Last year my OLW was "moment" and I think this year mine may be "now" although they are similar in many ways they are what I need right now. A reminder to live in this moment and enjoy it.
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My word is Distance. It is so appropriate, and fits so many things I hope for 2012 to be. I want to go the distance and run another half-marathon. I want to focus on my priorities so I can go the distance with my list of goals for this year. Distance is incredible. I plan to complete a page in an art journal weekly dedicated to the distance each week covered. Thanks, Ali, for all your inspiration!
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What a great word for you! Mine is possibility. I am finally through my rut/stagnation & am looking forward to what is next. Last year, I admitted that a major goal I wanted was not right & that giving it up doesn't mean I am a failure. It was very therapeutic & I am looking forward to being back at square one with its freshness & blank slate. I signed up for the One Little Word class (I did last year too & never did anything with it so I am ready to recommit this year) & can't wait. Happy New Year Ali - all the best to you & your family.
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Commit...last year my word was Hope & it def helped me thru a difficult time. I've spent a few years trying to find my way & absorbed inspiration, so it's time that I take all these lessons & apply them to what I want for my life going forward. So it's time to Commit.
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strength
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I was going to have the word Prosper for 2012 because my husband and I are starting a new business and hoping to start a family and that word reminds me also to SAVE financially. But I have changed it to PROGRESS. I want every area of my life to have progress this year and for nothing to stay stagnant but to grow and flourish to each new level and stage...
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My word is NEW. The past 3 years have been really hard and I am now looking at a new chapter in my life that I am excited about. Ali, I am also going through a tough time with my marriage and am separated from my husband right now. With the tremendous support from my family, I am looking forward to the future and all of the positive stuff it holds for my son and I.
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My word is organized...I'm really excited about this one. I am making strides to keep myself and my house and classroom (I'm a teacher) more organized in the coming year. I'm trying to keep it simple and do a little every day to keep things up.
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I love your word Ali and your thoughts behind it. I wish you peace this year as you start your new chapter in life's journey.
I thought that a word had picked me this year (this is my 5th year doing this), but as I thought on it and then read all of the choices of others here, it didn't call to me the same way. My word last year was CULTIVATE and although I didn't follow through for the whole OLW class, I did keep that word in my heart and did accomplish some of the things I intended. For 2012, I need something stronger to push/encourage/inspire me. The words "now", "do", "live" and "finish" all called to me, but in the end I have picked GO.SEE.DO. Those 3 words sum up my hopes, dreams and plans for the coming year. I want to GO places and not wait for tomorrow. I want to SEE my dreams and plans come to fruition. And I truly want to DO more to make the first two words happen. Thank you for once again inspiring me to make this commitment to better my world and for doing the OLW class again. I can't wait to get started!
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My 2012 word is EXPLORE I'm also keeping my 2011 with me which was HEAL its worked for me very well but I'm not ready to let it go!
Seeya hug ya G
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Journey
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My word for 2012 is: VERTROUWEN/ FAITH
I didn't choose this word. It choose me. Were ever I went I saw this word. This must be a sign.
The last couple of years has been quit a struggle for us. We had our ups but also a lot of downs. And that has taken its toll on me and my family. Especially me.
So I hope this word will give me the strength, the energy, that I need and will become a part of my life in 2012.
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Originally my word for 2012 was supposed to be my word for 2011 but sometimes life gets in the way and the word just didn't fit this year anymore. I'm excited to finally spend some time with this word and to see where it takes me. My word is CREATE. I want to create habits, things and the lifestyle I keep putting off.
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I just found your website and before I even started reading the word "simple" appeared in my mind. It is time for me to start living a more simple life and not feel the need to "have more useless items" that I just have to dispose of. Someone wrote 'mindful' and that is what I hope I become - I will be stopping to smell the roses more often. Thanks for this wonderful opportunity.
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last year, i almost picked the word "fight" but i just put it aside and settled for "conquer" instead...little did i realize that i was going to have to "fight" to keep everything...my marriage, my faith, and my sanity!! so i do believe in the word literally choosing you..this year my word will be "tone". i want to watch my tone when i am speaking to peaple. i truly think it is often not what we say but how we say it! i need to tone some things down in my life, and focus on what is really important. and last but not least, i need to tone up this body that i have been neglecting since i had kids...cant wait to see all the words but together, i still have last year's saved!!
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