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 is RHYTHM.
Last year I had PATH, and now I think I've found my path and started my journey on it and I need a good rhythm to take me along the path. This really has affected my life and I'm very thankful for the idea. Thank you Ali! :)
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My word for this year has been sneaking up on me over the last couple months. This morning I woke up knowing my word for 2012 is GENEROUS. I want to be generous with love, with gratitude, with listening, with art, with stories, with my family and with myself as I start a new chapter of life - motherhood. Last year my word was DISCOVER and I am still holding that word as I anticipate the arrival of our first child and everything my husband and I will discover together as we learn to be parents.
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My OLW this year is faithful. I KNOW all the things that I need to do to bring peace, health and contentment into my life. Now I just need to be faithful in all things. Faithful to my Heavenly Father, faithful to my family, myself, etc... I have loved having a OLW for the past 5 or so years. Some previous words have been Forgive, Balance, Less & More and now Faithful.
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My word is actually going to be two words this year. Rejuvenate and grow. Rejuvenate is a little cliche, but it does best define what I want to accomplish. I want to breathe new life into some things that have been stagnant in my life. But I also want to grow. Not start over, but build on the foundations I've already put so much time into learning. I want to take things to new heights!
I also have a great quote for my year..."All glory comes from daring to begin." Alexander Graham Bell. Happy 2012 everyone!
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[...] to do with the time ahead. instead of resolutions and goals and plans and dreams… i choose One Little Word that i use to define my year. one little word to focus on and use as a constant reminder of what i [...]
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I have chosen the word "sparkle." It will be my reminder to put a little something extra into each day. I'm also partnering it with a Photo A Day photography project I'm trying this year. So, "sparkle" will take on more than one meaning.
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My word is Change
So much is going to change this year for me because I'm heading off to college this fall. I'll be on my own and that is going to be a big change, but one I'm ready to take on
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I wouldn't have chosen this word but it chose me.
Cherish
Thanks for your inspiration Ali, even in the worst of times for you.
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[...] Ali Edwards’ One Little Word [...]
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[...] by Ali Edwards (her word for 2012 is “up”) GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); [...]
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My word for 2012 is CONQUER.
This is my first year doing this so I'm really excited. I chose conquer because it's a decisive action. You can't conquer, overcome, or succeed without doing.
I want 2012 to be the year I conquer some of the fears & roadblocks in my life and move closer to the personal, spiritual, professional, and emotional satisfaction that awaits on the other side.
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"purposeful"-I want to be more proactive & deliberate
in my choices and getting things accomplished this year.
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My word is Release. I intend to let go of it all. Everything that weighs me down will be released. I can't wait to feel lighter!
I was just introduced to this today, so I am so happy. This is going to be a great year. Thanks for the inspiration!
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[...] It’s called “One Little Word.“ [...]
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My word for 2012 has finally arrived! It is "mindful". I'm so glad to finally feel that this is the word. Now I can move ahead!
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Consistent. I need this. Desperately! This is my blog post about why this is my word for 2012. http://matildyjanedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-little-word.html
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[...] year. A focus word. This concept started back when I was also working in the creative industry by a blogger called Ali Edwards and the concept stuck for me. Previous years words have [...]
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My word for this new year is appreciate. I want to fully express and experience my appreciation for all that I have been blessed with. We go through life so busy that we do not take the time to appreciate all that we have and all whom we have in our lives.
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A friend of mine led me to your site. I had already been bouncing ideas around for what I wanted 2012 to be like. The thought I kept coming back to was, "I just want to live life." I want 2012 to be a year I try new things, a year where I don't hold back, and a year where I don't take things for granted. I'm going to try to take better care of myself, so that I may live longer and healthier. I'm going to spend those extra minutes playing with the kids instead of being too busy...in short, my word is live, and I plan on doing that in 2012.
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My word is "write" and I like that saying it also means it could be "right". I didn't ponder what my word should be like I have in years past. This has been a busy month and suddenly, this afternoon, I remembered I wanted a word and instantly my mind whispered "write". My only child graduates from high school in 2012 and then goes away to college. I have been grappling with my feelings about this for a while and I think this is the year to "write" it out so I can come to terms with this stage of my life.
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my word for 2012 is "calm", because that is what i need to be in my life right now
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My word is CREATE:
It took me a while to settle on this, but as I was writing down a list of resolutions it made perfect sense. I want to keep up with memory keeping (CREATE a project life album), keep my home clean (CREATE a welcoming home), Make more memories with my family (CREATE Memories), and have a date night with my husband each month (CREATE time for our relationship). I'm also planning two DIY weddings in my family (CREATE weddings!) and planning a huge family trip for 2013 (CREATE plans). It just worked out to be a word that embraces what I want!
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Hi ali
I am so glad that we are about to start this journey again. I just watched the first video and i just want to say thank you. Thank you for sharing your life despite all that you are going through. I am so sad to hear about your divorce and please know that my prayers will be with you and your family as you go through this transition. But thank you again for continuing to be the uplifting and inspirational person that you are. Prayers and hugs.
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My husband and I both have words for 2012: mine is "be" and his is "prosper." We are excited to see what this year holds!
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My one little word for 2012 is "realistic". I need to be realistic about what I can actually accomplish in a given period of time. No more taking on an assignment or signing up for something that I know I realistically cannot complete. Before I commit to something, I just need to stop and think about my word before making a decision.
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