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. scattejoy says…
    12/31/2014

    Connect is my word. I think it is a perfect compliment to last year's word...Listen. Thank you Ali for this very thought provoking project!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. evalyn says…
    12/31/2014

    My OLW for 2015 is SEE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Blupixy79 says…
    12/31/2014

    My OLW for 2015 is BRAVE.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. EjayAndrew says…
    12/31/2014

    My word is Voice. I need the reminder to speak up and to speak out, instead of passively letting things unfold around me. I welcome what else I will discover about myself and the world with this word in front of me this year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. jessjames says…
    12/31/2014

    My word for 2015 is LIVE. To embrace life and not detach when life becomes too challenging.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Deborah_P says…
    12/31/2014

    My word for 2015 is Thankful. I try to practice thankfulness regularly, but find large chunks of time go by and it has not crossed my mind. Focusing on this as my word for 2015 will help that process. When I'm at my most "woe is me" attitude, remembering to give thanks turns my attitude around and makes the situation feel better even if it has not actually changed. Thanks for keeping this going!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. zoeybug says…
    12/31/2014

    My word is "endurance." 2014 was a REALLY hard year for my family-I lost my father to lung cancer, I finally stopped teaching altogether due to family issues and my own chronic illness and my youngest son was diagnosed with early onset Bipolar I . This word I'm hoping will help me learn to deal with these changes in my life.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. leahhearnsberger says…
    12/31/2014

    Gratitude

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. CynthiaByTheSea says…
    12/31/2014

    My word is WATCH. Watch what I say, watch what I eat, watch what I do....

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. kimkbolyard says…
    12/31/2014

    my one little word for 2015 is "Connect" wanting to find time...quality time to connect, reconnect and stay connected more often with friends and family. I always have good intentions to do this and I am hoping with my one little word I can make it happen more often. thank you for always inspiring me

    Kim Bolyard

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. annamayde says…
    12/31/2014

    My word for 2015 is HAVEN. I want my life to be a haven of happiness, purpose and positivity. I want my home to be a haven for family, laughter, freedom, peace, restoration and relaxation. I want my body to be a haven of good health and fitness. I want my arms to be a safe haven where my kids (and other loved ones) can feel loved and secure.

    I am sure this word will grow over the year - I'm looking forward to where it takes me in 2015!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. snb21011 says…
    12/31/2014

    My first OLW will be pursue. Excited to see where this powerful little word takes me in 2015.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. kseely says…
    12/31/2014

    My First OLW - WholeHearted

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. EllenC says…
    12/31/2014

    My word for 2015 is discover.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. kfehseke says…
    12/31/2014

    RELEASE! 2014 has been a difficult year for my family and I've held on to too much stress and negativity. I've harbored worries over things I can't control and fuss and stew over them, which ultimately won't fix anything. I've become too serious and uptight and want to release all the negative and return to "fun me."

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Brandymcmoran says…
    12/31/2014

    My first One Little Word for 2015 is "Balance". I need balance in my life in many ways. Here is hoping to find "balance" in 2015!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. gmitas says…
    12/31/2014

    My word for 2015 is FULL.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. GenkiCol says…
    12/31/2014

    My word is LIGHT. 2014 has been a bad year as I lost my 98 year old grandma (who I was very close to) in January and then my best friend - my mum (to breast cancer) in June. I’m looking to find light in my life on many levels as a result. Obviously, things have been very “dark” this year and I need to continue to grieve and find the light in my life and with the amazing memories I have of these women. I want to celebrate their roles in my life. I have also always been overweight and all of the loss this year has only made that worse, so I want to “lighten” myself as well. I’m feeling cluttered in my home and want to address that issue as well to find “lightness “ at home. As a teacher, I’m constantly trying to find a work/life balance and I want to feel as if there is “light” in my teaching as well. This somehow doesn’t sum up everything in terms of the meaning of this word to me, but you can see there are many layers that I am looking forward to uncovering as the year progresses.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      01/01/2015

      This resonates with me on many levels. Good luck with your word and hope to see what you create on Facebook or the Gallery.

  19. lizbeth8 says…
    12/31/2014

    My "One Little Word" for the year 2015, is [ENOUGH]. ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. sunray says…
    12/31/2014

    My word is Still. :)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. ScrappinMyHeartOut says…
      01/01/2015

      What a cool word!

  21. Missymillie says…
    12/31/2014

    This is the first year I have heard of One Little Word and my word for 2015 is IMMERSE. This year I want to immerse myself into our first year of marriage and immerse myself into my own small business dreams to get them started... Whilst immersing myself into my current role in the meantime to get the most from it! X

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. GwynnW says…
    12/31/2014

    My word is Learn.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. gabi_2 says…
    12/31/2014

    I'm going to be FIERCE next year.

    Love your word, Ali! All the best for 2015!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. CherylatScrapstorian says…
    12/31/2014

    Shine
    I think it found me! I saw an Instagram post with shine and it made me pause. After that, it was everywhere I looked. To me, it means to give light, to be light, to open up and, well, shine. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. pieceocountry says…
    12/31/2014

    I've been a OLW lurker until now. I'd doing it this year and my word is DO. I want to: do the things that intimidate me; do the things that I feel too lazy to do; do the things that need done every day even if I don't want to; reframe my world from don't back to DO. Thanks Ali. Looking forward to doing more with you this year.

    Reply 0 Replies

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