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, 2012, 2013 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.
Empower(ed) (ing)- Because 2014 was an incredibly difficult year. It is empowering to deal with things with dignity, grace, humor, and it is empowering to say no when needed, and to not let others walk all over you. Sometimes doing the right thing does not make you the most popular person, but there is a freedom that comes from within that makes you powerful and strong and a true warrior when you can lay your head down each night knowing you did your very best. When you can look yourself in the mirror, or into the eyes of your loved ones (ESPECIALLY your children) and know you lived that day to its fullest and in the most honest way possible. Because it is empowering to be truly happy with yourself just the way you are.
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I so enjoyed my experience with my word last year, I was really, really tempted to keep it for another round. But somehow I felt that was cheating (silly, I know, but it's true). So with that in mind, I sought out another word that could be just as powerful, but was also positive, and covered many areas of my life. I just sat with those qualities for a few days, and the word PUSH came to me.
Last year my word was PRACTICE, and it was sweet and gentle and encouraging. Just what I needed in a word that would stick with me for an entire year (I have had some miserable "failures" in the past). But I knew that I needed to get a little tougher with myself this time around, and PUSH felt like the right fit. Strong enough to be a step up from practice, but with good versatility. (It also felt right in that I came to me from multiple places within a few short days.)
I am so looking forward to PUSHing this year.
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I've seen this word pop up for days now, in all references- so I'm picking "Less" as my one little word for 2015. And looking forward to doing the workshop for the first time. Love the direction you are taking your brand!
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My word for the year is content. My husband and I are both working on a lot of long-term goals; but I also want to remember to enjoy the now. There are great things happening now in life, and I need to remember to enjoy the present. More on my blog- http://emilyberit.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-one-little-word.html.
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I've chosen mine and it was inspired by your post about "getting real". My word is REAL. I shared my reasons here: http://capturekeep.blogspot.com.br/2015/01/my-one-little-word-2015-real.html
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This is my first year and I am choosing "Intentional"....I don't really know where this word is going to lead me but I am so looking forward to finding out! I've even gotten my family on the OLW bandwagon! My Husband has chosen "servant", my 21 yr old daughter has chosen "discipline" and my 23 yr old son (who will graduate from college this yr) has simply chosen "GRADUATE" LOL
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My word for the year is BOLD. It took a while for me and the word to find each other. . . but when we did it certainly felt right. This is my first time taking this class and I'm looking forward to exploring, navigating, and embracing both my word, the crafts and what is possible this year. Thank you.
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HEART <3 Inviting: joy • love • vitality • awareness • intuition • passion • patience • self-care
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I've been hesitant to write this down because I'm afraid that putting it out there puts too much pressure on myself. (Does that make sense?) However, in the spirit of actually living out my word I am leaving a comment. My word for this year is rediscover. I want to rediscover myself, rediscover how I interact with the world, rediscover how to parent my children, rediscover what my husband and I want for our marriage; there are so many things that fall into this category for me. I feel like a former version of myself and am hoping to be "me" again, this year. Thank you for all your encouragement!
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My word is FOCUS. It actually found me. I've heard people say their words found them, which sounded ridiculous to me. =)But it does happen. The first thing I'm going to FOCUS on is doing OLW. I've signed up for this workshop in the past and done nothing with it. I intend to do it this year and to FOCUS.
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My word is HEART, both literally and figuratively. I want to make choices that are good for my physical heart, and do things to keep my spiritual heart strong. I am looking forward to One Little Word!
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My word will be" Dance". Can you still add me to the list? it took me awhile to come to it, I had thought about "consider". and straight up, I just want to dance, I don't want to hesitate.
Thanks, Helena
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My OLW this year is "RECLAIM". I am primarily going to focus on reclaiming my health and relationships.
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Loved your choice of GIVE, the idea of give in or give up and how that could be a positive thing, giving to others and yourself, giving yourself a break, and the ideas of forGIVE and thanksGIVING :) great word!
My word for this year is BE.
BE still // myself // authentic // calm // open // focused // organised // adventurous // content // creative // courageous // intentional // joyful // peaceful // relaxed // generous // supportive
BEing, BElive, BEautiful.
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my 2015 word is JOYFUL...something I'd like to strive to be both on the inside and the outside (at the same time for once)
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my word this year is SHINE!
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My word this year is MOVE! Time to get off the sofa and get cracking!
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My word is soar. Soar in new directions, to new heights.
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I apparently missed this post. My word is RESOLVE. Great to see (and hear) the variety of words people have chosen.
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This my 1st year and so my first word will be 'YES'
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Hola!! Mi palabra para el 2015 es SERENIDAD. Les dejo el link de mi blog para lean algunos artículos interesantes acerca de esta palabra.
http://esperanzascrap.blogspot.com.ar/2015/02/una-pequena-palabra-2015-one-little.html
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