One Little Word® 2015

My One Little Word® for 2015 is give

The process of choosing a word, or letting it choose me as is often the case, is always interesting. For me it often starts around October - words begin popping up here and there via reading or conversations or overhearing something on the radio. I tend to do a lot of listening and thinking and trying each one on for a minute or two or a couple days or longer. 

I know there is no perfect word, there's only choices and paths and possibilities. 

This year the word give showed up in October if I remember correctly. It came in more like a whisper - some years my words have been so loud as if they were making it so they couldn't be ignored. 

Give began with the idea of giving to others and the question of what is it that I currently give. I'm pretty sure it was sparked by my trip to Washington DC to attend the ONE Campaign's AYA Girls And Women's Summit. There was a shift in my thoughts and a vivid reminder that it's not just about me and my own stuff - it was such a powerful opportunity to reflect on my place in the larger world and become educated on some of the issues facing girls and women in Africa. 

Over the last few months since it first made itself known, my thoughts about the word give and what I want to focus on in 2015 has evolved which is something I always welcome as I choose a new word. Give, for me, is so much more than the process of "handing something over."

Give love. Give kindness. Give time. Give patience. Give to others. Give to myself. 

On a certain level, the word give for me is rooted in connection and openness and awareness and willingness. What do the people around me need? How can I connect with them through the process of giving of myself? Over the last year I've lost some of myself in work and the transitions and I want more than anything to reconnect to the things/people/places I most value. 

Another level/definition of the word give is the idea of bending and being flexible. It's a nod to living in the gray areas and working on lessening my constant grip on the black and whiteness of things. My ability to be black and white is at the same time very much a strength in some areas and a weakness in others. Discerning the difference between when to give and when to hold firm is something I'd like to explore this year. 

The third level of give for me is in giving to myself. Giving time to myself. Giving patience to myself. Giving kindness to myself. Giving love to myself. I like the combination of the connection with others and the connection with myself. It's an opportunity to fine tune and get clear and make choices that align with what I care about most. 

I'm also interested in exploring give up, give away, and give in - all three of which I see as positive steps/ideas vs. the negative way they could be taken. 

I'm looking forward to experiencing a new journey with a new word in 2015.  

PS | That awesome little whole heart pocket talisman is from my dear friend Liz Lameroux's shop Soul Mantras. Check out all her lovely offerings here

PSS | Listen to Elise Cripe and I chat about One Little Word® on her latest podcast episode here

SHARE YOUR WORD THE COMMENTS 

I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2015. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. Next week I’ll combine all the words into a single post – it's become tradition and 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, 20122013 and 2014.

JOIN ME

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

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523 thoughts

  1. donna10 says…
    12/29/2014

    LISTEN

    In 2014 I started to become aware of my voice – I was listening to my voice and at times I didn’t like it. It was angry, it was scared, it was confused, it was stressed, it was bitter, it was tired mainly due to a mental health issue with one of children. I need to LISTEN to my voice and make it happier, calmer and kinder.

    In 2015 I will LISTEN to my voice, what I have to say, how I say it and what it sounds like. I will LISTEN not only to my own voice but what others have to say, be a better listener. I will LISTEN to my heart and acknowledge how it feels. I will LISTEN to my actions and how they affect others and myself. I will be more present and take time to reach out to friends and strangers in need by listening.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/29/2014

      What a beautiful explanation. I have picked a word already for 2015, Exercise...but Listen is high up on my list too, because I can be an overtalker and it's a habit I want to lose. We have something in common...my voice, when I listen, is often filled with worry or despair vs lightheartedness, also due to my concerns and love for my child with anxiety, OCD, and other related issues. You are right...if we listen to ourselves and soften what we sound like, it will benefit both us and our families.

  2. EileenT says…
    12/29/2014

    My word is OPEN. I want to OPEN up my life in as many ways as possible. The last two years have been difficult following the death of my partner after a long illness but I now feel it is time to move forward and allow myself to be OPEN to new experiences in every aspect of my life.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. andreacollects says…
      12/29/2014

      Open was my word in 2014 and I loved it because it changed my lifein so many ways.

  3. HeidiSueWallace says…
    12/29/2014

    simplify...that is my word and mantra for 2015. the word shouted itself to me all month long, although i tried to ignore it! so, i knew it had to be the one. my husband and i are in a transition period in our lives and simplicity is going to be key to the successful walk on a new path.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. andreacollects says…
    12/29/2014

    quality

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. sim1 says…
    12/29/2014

    Light it is for me in 2015!!! It feels much more realistic than my previous choices (shine and fun) yet de-lightfully similar. Thank you to you Ali for much inspiration and generosity.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Tiff_Firth says…
    12/29/2014

    Ironically I just blogged about my 'one little word' tonight too (australia time). I have referenced to you Ali with a link back to your 'one little word' blog post.
    2014 for me was 'no' to be used in a positive way to stop myself from getting overwhelmed with work and to say it without guilt.
    2015 is 'seek'. The reasons why are on my blog
    http://www.fluffingaround.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/my-one-little-word-for-2015.html

    Tiff Firth

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. abragg79 says…
    12/29/2014

    Focus.

    The past few months, thus word has been screaming at me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. HelloTodayCreate says…
    12/29/2014

    Simplistic

    Believe was my one little word in 2014, & Simplistic will be my word in 2015. This word has screamed at me all year, i think it's a good choice for me.
    Love your word give this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. SusanBowers says…
    12/29/2014

    Thrive. It has been a long year of major health issues that are now healed and I am ready for a year of thriving. Thrive physically. Thrive spiritually. Thrive creatively. Thrive relationally.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. kellyannlibby says…
      12/29/2014

      This is a great word. It was a "runner up" word for me. Instead, I chose Explore. However, There's a great tea I came across this weekend from Tazo named "Thrive", it's a yummy relaxing tea. Maybe you could brew a cup and be reminded of your word. Happy and healthy 2015.

  10. kukkykuk says…
    12/29/2014

    Healthy.

    To be healthy requires a lot of discipline, commitment and self-motivation. As the word has been calling me for a few months, i am ready to make a sacrifice -- giving up something unhealthy to make room for healthy stuff in all areas of my life in 2015.

    Hooray, Kukky. YOU CAN DO THIS.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. alicec says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is IMMERSE. I need a guide through the year ahead, because I'll have to spend several months writing my bachelor thesis and prepare myself for my graduation. I'm a procrastinator by nature, so I need to immerse myself in what I'm doing to actually get things done.

    P.s. I find my word thanks to Susannah Conway's free class you mentioned in the poadcast :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. scrapdreams says…
    12/29/2014

    In 2014 my word was Kindness. Which was mostly focused outward and looking for all the opportunities to be kind to others, to the planet, to my family. For 2015 I knew I needed a word that focused on me, on my health issues, on taking care of myself. After careful consideration of a lot of choices, my word for 2015 is THRIVE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. lbvancura says…
    12/29/2014

    My word this year is ADVENTURE. I have been very focused on finishing my masters degree, remodeling a house, busy work and getting through the day to day of life that some (most) of the fun has left me. I'm looking for more adventure, more smiles, more spontaneity. More adventure to new places and old. More living life to the fullest. Bring on 2015!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. CaroleJulius says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is grace. I thought a lot about the way I want to live my life - how I want to present myself to the world, how I want to welcome others into my home, how I want to react to situations both good and bad - but I couldn't think of the word that represented that. I tossed aside light and peace and shine and then one day I heard a Christmas song and the word gracious was in the lyrics and I thought - that's it! It's grace! That's the word that represents the feeling that I want to have.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. SueinMtVernon says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is PERSEVERE. For the past several years, I have struggled with getting my life to be in a comfortable place and for my home to be organized and welcoming. So many roadblocks and hurtful comments have been thrown at me, but I am determined to PERSEVERE and show myself and others that I can do this.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. griperang says…
    12/29/2014

    DREAM - I was thinking about this being my word for 2015 then when my husband and I were in the Keys celebrating our 25th anniversary, we were touring a museum and they had some sea glass in a little basket for sale, each of them had words on them and when I happen to look down I saw one right on top that said dream and there was only one with that word on it. Right then I knew this was the right word for me. I have some dreams I would like to accomplish this next year as well as I feel we need to continue to dream throughout our life, Without dreams we have nothing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. elizabeth_eim says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is CREATE. I want to CREATE the life I envision for myself and my family. I want to take the time to CREATE more art. And as we ponder whether or not to add a second child to the family, I'm fully aware that CREATE may take on a whole new meaning before the end of the year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. bevwarnock says…
    12/29/2014

    Breathe is my word for 2015.
    My mom has chosen the word WALK for 2015

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/29/2014

      Both words are so cool. Mine is exercise and I am going to be doing lots of breathing fresh air and walking -my primary type of exercise! Looking forward to seeing what you both create if you share it!

  19. Michelle06 says…
    12/29/2014

    IN
    amid, present, during, not out, not elsewhere, awareness, within, all in, participate

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. JanisHurst says…
    12/29/2014

    PROACTIVE
    I want to affect the positive changes I'd like to see in my life, rather than simply reacting to events as they occur. This is my first year doing OLW, and I'm excited to see how it goes!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Esk74 says…
    12/29/2014

    Base.

    Actually it's the Dutch word 'basis', but I think it translates best with 'base'.
    As in: startingpoint, back to basics, simple, foundation (of all things important), etc .

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. BronwenC says…
    12/29/2014

    I couldn't decide between Light or Grateful. Then the word Grateful started popping up everywhere - websites, social media, magazines, books, conversations, quotes. I am not very confident when choosing a word, but Grateful feels right, and I believe it follows on nicely from my OLW for 2014 which was Mindful.
    Being Grateful will help remind me to be present, to stop taking this life for granted, to appreciate the random, the weird, the boring, the heartache, the good, the bad and everything else along the way.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. gemini_jen says…
    12/29/2014

    GRACE

    It keeps showing itself to me, quite literally ... So as of 10 minutes ago, it's my word!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. ximena says…
    12/29/2014

    My word for 2015 is CONSISTENT. I have begun many personal projects, but am having a hard time following through. CONSISTENT will help me develop habits - in behavior, in health and fitness, in forming new patterns, in relationships, in my spirit. It will also help me get rid of anything that doesn't serve me anymore, by CONSISTENTLY letting go until it's no longer an issue.

    I love your word GIVE, Ali. See you at OLW 2015!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      12/29/2014

      Love your explanation of this great word.

  25. jenjeb says…
    12/29/2014

    BEGIN

    My word came to me a few weeks ago. I really loved my 2014 word (BRAVE). I honestly think it has been my favorite OLW to date. It really helped me do things and have conversations I thought I could never have. This year, I wanted a fresh start so BEGIN came to me. Begin something new (that is both scary and exciting at the same time). Begin to take better care of myself. Begin to eat better. Begin to be more present. Just Begin.

    Reply 0 Replies

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