One Little Word® 2014

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Make your word visible: Order your own word from recycled matericals created by artist Colleen Attara here

My One Little Word for 2014 is thrive.

This year, more than any other I can remember, I'm starting off the year with questions. What does it mean for me to thrive? What does it look like? What does it fee like? Are there areas in which I'm already thriving? What's realistic vs. visions of what I have in my head of what it means to thrive?

Open was an awesome word for me last year. It was a touchstone as I navigated my way through growing pains and man oh man did it work in a million different ways I could not have imagined when I started 2013. More often than not when faced with a decision, I chose to open more rather than closing off which was my number one intention last year. That said, I feel like I've been spinning in circles a lot this past year. I've been reacting vs. being proactive and have been dealing with a variety of issues related to stress and growth (totally all part of my own life journey).

To me thriving is optimal living. It's being present and awake and stepping up to be my best self physically, emotionally, spiritually, creatively and within my relationships.

It's not a quest for perfection. It's an opportunity to continue choosing to let go of things outside of my control and to figure out who that best-me-right-now really is.

It will be a whole new journey and I'm here to tell you I welcome it wholeheartedly.

Bring on 2014.

This year I invited my friend Elise Blaha Cripe to film a little video about her experience with One Little Word. One of the reasons I admire Elise is that she is awesome at follow-through and documentation. I've loved reading about her experience with her words over the last few years on her blog and she inspires me consistently with her projects and her real-life reflections.

Here's Elise in her own words:

Thank you Elise for sharing about your own journey here.


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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.

SHARE YOUR WORD THE COMMENTS | I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2014. 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.

If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.


ONE LITTLE WORD® 2014 | To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. Registration is $5 off until December 31.

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938 thoughts

  1. Thinkie says…
    12/30/2013

    Light

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Laura says…
      01/02/2014

      Light is my word for 2014, too! So much possibility.

    2. Amanda says…
      01/05/2014

      This is my first attempt diving into using one little word as a guide for the year. So fro the next 12 months, my word is "endeavor." I've been to full of self-doubt and lacking the oomph to just go and try or do things, so this year I will endeavor.
      Looking forward to see how you navigate thriving this year.
      xo A

  2. Nina says…
    12/30/2013

    I've taken part in One Little Word for the past five years and each previous year I looked at everyone else words to inspire me. This year, about a month ago, my word found me! My word is MOVE and it has multiple connotations, some of which I know I can even imagine yet. I'm setting myself a reminder on my phone everyday to think of something that day which is related to my word, and I'll collect them all in a journal.
    2014: my year to MOVE.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. dawn says…
      12/30/2013

      Nina,

      I love this idea and will do it also. My word is on my wallpaper but this will really make take action each day towards my word. Thanks for sharing and good luck with your word!

    2. Crystal says…
      01/01/2014

      How funny, my word is Move, too!

  3. dawn says…
    12/30/2013

    My word found me for the first time and it's already been amazing and working in my life. SO EXCITED ALI!!! I can't wait till class starts, I'm going to be a crazy mess these next two days waiting, lol.

    My word is PRAY

    I love your word Ali and thoughts on it! Thank you Elisa!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Mel says…
    12/30/2013

    My word this year is ME. Most of my life, I've chosen to put others and their needs ahead of my own, and especially as I've dedicated the past 3 years plus to caregiving for two family members. It's time to focus more on myself, what I need, what I want from life, what matters to me. I'm looking forward to the journey!

    Reply 4 Replies
    1. Sissi says…
      01/19/2014

      I just discovered this (through the Diva) and I love reading the words for everyone but I'm so excited to see that other people choose the same word as I did : ME.
      On the other hand it's kind of sad that we have the feeling we have to take care of ourself in such a way, right?
      But I choose the word for the same reasons as everyone else. Because it soundet right.

      Thanks for this challenge!

    2. Melissa says…
      12/30/2013

      My words Me too

    3. Amy says…
      12/30/2013

      Me too! :)

    4. Isabelle says…
      12/30/2013

      I chose my word with the exact same motivation as you did. :-)

  5. Isabelle says…
    12/30/2013

    Move forward.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Armalite says…
    12/30/2013

    My OLW for 2014 is FORWARD, and I've blogged about it here (in French):
    http://leroseetlenoir.blogspot.fr/2013/12/un-mot-pour-2014.html

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Deb says…
    12/30/2013

    My word is DARE

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Dawn Ritchie says…
    12/30/2013

    FUN!!!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Cheryl says…
      01/03/2014

      My word for 2014 is FLY. I often operate from a place of fear or limits and this year I want to live from a place of endless possibilities, courage, and openness.

  9. Cheri says…
    12/30/2013

    KIND/ Kindness

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Lisa says…
    12/30/2013

    Attract ... this year I am ready to attract the right people, the right things, the right harmony into my life. But first I have to send the ripples out, so that I can receive them back. That is my goal for myself this year.

    Thank you Ali! I have participated in OLW since it began, and it chronicles my life journey best. I love reflecting on my chosen words. I had to research my early ones by going backwards in time in your comments section.

    May you find your path to thrive in 2014!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Natalie says…
      12/30/2013

      I really really like your word choice!!! My word is nourish. But I want to Attract people in my life who nourish my soul!!

  11. eva scott says…
    12/30/2013

    Hope

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ellen says…
      12/30/2013

      Beautiful word!!

    2. Jan says…
      12/30/2013

      That's my word too, it found me this year, I was going to have heal but this word kept cropping up last sign was one of my students giving me a stone with it on and she said she thought it was my word for the year so I said it is now :)

  12. Diane says…
    12/30/2013

    It took a lot of brainstorming and many many words listed in my journal before my word found me for 2014.
    Light is my word and I can't wait to see how it unfolds for me. Thanks Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Tammy says…
    12/30/2013

    heart

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Cii says…
    12/30/2013

    A couple of months ago I wrote an email to a friend about my expirience with OLW, an by writing I noticed there is one aspect in my word (and in my life, of course) I really need to give more room: I have to be more in the moment, live more in here and now. So in Oktober I decided to choose MOMENT for 2014.

    I'm really excited to start.

    Thank you Ali for this class!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Barb says…
    12/30/2013

    My word is BRAVE. I am anxious to see how big my brave is and how my life might change when I choose to be brave over just taking the easy road out.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Savanna says…
      01/04/2014

      My word is BRAVE as well. I think it will be my theme for a lot of things. Here's to a BRAVE year ladies!

    2. Cathy says…
      01/01/2014

      My word is BRAVE. In every area, in every aspect. The "courage to change" has been rising up in me for several years so exercising bravery will be what it takes to move me down the road. Sara Barreilles' song and video were the clencher for me:)
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQsqBqxoR4&list=TL_AM4499EiJDQZfPBLDWMJ5J4SIn225aR

      Hello 2014. I wanna see me be brave.

  16. KellyO says…
    12/30/2013

    My word for 2014 is RENEW. I've chosen a OLW every year since 2008 and most years it has been an awesome experience. This year I will be renewing commitments in a lot of areas of my life especially in the health and fitness zone along with work and home projects.

    Looking forward to creating the scrapbook page that will hang in my office as a tangible reminder of my OLW.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Kate says…
      01/02/2014

      I too chose Renew. My husband has used our winter holiday break to tear the interior walls off our living room/kitchen/dining area. The floors and ceiling will be next. As my home is renewed through his labor so I am renewing--friendships, breath work, Spirit, and physically. This is my 59th year and by my 60th (Sept) I am hoping that the butterfly emerging from this chrysalis I am beginning to explore around me will be soaring in her new habitat.

  17. sherry says…
    12/30/2013

    quiet

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Sara says…
      12/30/2013

      Love!

  18. Denise says…
    12/30/2013

    COMMIT

    or maybe

    FINISH

    They are both speaking to me, or maybe I need a word that is a combination of these two words. Basically, this year I need to commit to some things, and see them through to completion. I need to finish the things I commit to.

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Elisa says…
      12/30/2013

      I have both of these words on my list. Also contemplating Execute and Plan. I'm leaning strongly towards Plan with the thinking that in order to commit and finish I need to plan. Plan also incorporates intentional living for me.

    2. Shirsha says…
      12/31/2013

      Commit is my word as well. I am notorious for starting things and not finishing them. But I have also realised that the few things that I have committed wholeheartedly to, I have achieved tremendous success. I hope to incorporate my word more into my life...to make it more all-pervasive. Hope it works out to be fantastic word for you, Denise.

  19. Stacy Buller says…
    12/30/2013

    Kindness

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Tammie says…
    12/30/2013

    I'm thinking my word will be COURAGE for 2014

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Daphne says…
    12/30/2013

    Grow.Do.Be

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Krys says…
    12/30/2013

    My work is RESPONSIBILITY. In 2014 I am going to take responsibility for my own life, for all those little things that I always look at and think "if only..." I considered trust and believe and positivity as my words, but taking responsibility for my life means that I will find each of those things for myself.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Kimmy Davis says…
      12/30/2013

      Nice! Responsibility is now on my short list!

  23. SherriS. says…
    12/30/2013

    Past OLW's were Wisdom and Focus and they helped me grow tremendously. This year my word is....EnJOY. It feels good and right.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. MK says…
    12/30/2013

    Faith

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Mallory says…
      01/16/2014

      That's mine too!

  25. Caroline says…
    12/30/2013

    Find.

    This year I'm hoping to find what it is I need to do, feel and be. I feel like it's not going to come to me, I need to go and find it.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Wendy O. says…
      12/31/2013

      LOVE IT!

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