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'm using one of your words from prior years: LIGHT. It will help me through the changes I am anticipating for 2012... physical, a relocation, a possible career change... I want to rid myself of the unnecessary and become light. I want to feel light as I move through the different stages... I want to get through it with incredible lightness. This will help, I know it. ;)
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I didn't do well at all in 2011 keeping up with the class OR my word but my word has come to me over the past couple weeks and it is FAITH. I'm going to have a go at it again in 2012.
Thanks Ali!
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I am in the process of deciding on a word...I have a couple that I am considering...truth or real...my family moved about 6 months (a good thing) and a lot of changes have come with it...it has sent me reeling a bit. My ego is getting the best of me...I tend to make assumptions about situations, people, etc...and what I am realizing is that they are not factual, not necessarily real or the truth. So I really want to focus on what is true, what is real.
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Hi Ali, what a wonderful word you have chosen and I didn't fully understand how a word could choose you until tonight. While driving home and reflecting on this year and what I want for next year the word UPLIFT came to mind just out of the blue. When I got home I looked it up and it is perfect:
a bettering of a condition especially spiritually, socially, or intellectually
NO resolutions this year - just one little word. Loving it already - see you in class.
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finally, 'we' (my word & I) have decided!
LIVE!
I had a good friend (tho of relatively short acquaintance) die this year. Several people spoke at her memorial service & the resounding message was that "Elaine always said to LIVE LIFE!"
For that & several reasons, I want to make sure that I am not just 'existing,' but LIVING!
to me, this word will encompass 'be present,' 'intention,' 'mindfulness,' 'now.'
Never done this b4. Looking forward to it.
Ali, thanks & YOU ROCK!!!
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Well, I chose my little word a few days ago. I confess I need to change some things, be less perfectionist, care less with the faults of others and with the lack of time to do whatever I want.
Finally, in 2012 I want depth peace! Only peace!
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My 2012 word is reduce. I thought this word would be appropriate because there are so many things I need to reduce ... weight, Diet Coke consumption, stress, waste, and even reduce to save the earth ... just to name a few! I have never done One Little Word Before and I am really excited!
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My OLW for 2012 is faith. I have many changes coming in the first part of the year that will test and try me. I chose faith because I have faith in God, my husband and my family but I really need to have faith in myself. I know that I can meet the changes that are coming, but I need faith in ME to weather the storm and come out on top. FAITH that is my word!!
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My word for 2012 is ATTITUDE. Attitude is something that I can control even if I can't control anything else. I want to work on making my attitude a positive one this year. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me and how it changes my attitude throughout 2012.
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I had a word for the last month or two, but when I started thinking about it, after Christmas, I realized it came from a negative place. And I work at finding the positives, wherever they may be. So, clearly that word that had attached itself to me wasn't going to work.
After a lot of thought, I found my word: Animate. :>
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My word for this year is accept. It has many meanings. I hope I can learn to accept what happens in my life and around me.
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live
/laɪv/
[ONLY BEFORE NOUN] living and not dead
my word is live, the adjective
I've been gifted with a starring role in this performance, a one woman show, a single shot at life. My family, my friends, loved ones that I've yet to meet, are my live audience. I'd like to give them all a brilliant performance!
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Focus. I want to be more organized, get fit, be more present in the moment with my kiddos and my hubby, simplify my commitments, etc., etc., etc. In short, FOCUS on what's important.
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My word for 2012 is Peace.
My high stress levels and my obsession with perfection almost cost me my health,, my family and my marriage. I have suffered with this for years and only now has it come bubbling to the surface and is affecting my everyday life. I am working very hard on finding inner peace and in turn help me to move forward and deal with my hurdles without hurting those I love the most.
After being a lurker and admirer for years (since I started scrapbooking in 2001) I am finally going to put pen to paper and a camera to my eye to help me document and heal the pain I have endured.
Thank you Ali :)
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wow ... "up" is a wonderful word ...
My word for 2012 is "discipline" ... I really need (laughs)
happy 2012
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[...] that make you feel blessed! The possibilities are endless. I’m going to direct you to Ali’s blog, because she has a much better way with words than me. And if you do decide to choose a word, stop [...]
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I wrote about last years word HEALTHY on my blog yesterday...it was a complete WASH for me is so many ways (we have had a tough year physical health wise as well as financial health, spiritual health etc) The word ended up haunting me as I just couldn't turn my attitude around about it once things started piling up! Ah...it did make me think about what WAS healthy in our life...anyway you can read about it here:
http://dancinglydenise.typepad.com/a_day_in_my_life/2011/12/one-little-word.html
I am so stuck on my word for this year (well not really...it showed up a few weeks ago and i can't GET RID OF IT! LOL It's not one of those words you can put on a pretty necklace...or find on a nice sign to hang up. It isn't a yucky word...I just wanted something that sounded more intense...deep...sensitive...LOL My word appears to be PROJECT... as in all the projects I have started and not finished INCLUDING health projects, art projects, items for the kids, household projects...you name it! PROJECTS...there I said it! Think I will still get a necklace:)
Thanks for doing this every year! I take the class...and hope to actually DO it this year as one of my projects! and I am not giving up on HEALTHY just in case anyone thought I was.
Thanks again Ali!
Denise
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[...] will still pick my one little word – a ritual that I’ve done for the past few years. I thought ahead this year and had a [...]
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[...] have big HOPES for 2012. Currently I am searching for a new one little word. I love the idea of having a word, even though I don’t do much about it. But it is there, [...]
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I have chosen the word "light"... I will also be taking Allie's class. :)
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My word for this year is CREATE. My husband and I just found out we are having our first baby, so while I create that little one, I'm also so excited to do my first Project Life book and now the OLW class!! I feel so inspired right now and hope I can keep this up through the year!
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[...] for the year. Many people who I read do it and it’s a nice practice. I believe it started here, if you are interested in checking it out (that’s her 2012 entry, but it links to previous [...]
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This will be my 4th year and I love the idea to holding on to one word and livivng with it to improve my year. This year my word is focus.
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My OLW is Climb!
Wrote a post on the meaning it will have for me in this coming year! http://www.prettypaperparfait.com/2011/12/31/olw2012/
Hope you'll visit and leave some comments! Success and blessings to you all in 2012!
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When I think about 2012, the word "live" jumps out at me. Our time and loved ones are valuable, and this year, I want to make sure they know that. To say what I think and what I feel about those in my life. If I say my family is the most important thing, then I sure hope they feel it, and it is my goal this year that I live in a way that reflects my priorities. Years and lives pass by way too quickly, and there is too much room for regret.
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