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.
Sparkle.
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I hadn't given it much of a thought until I saw your word. But "Shine" arrived in my head and I think that means something. Usually I avoid the chance to shine (like in a spotlight). So shine to me is more of a polishing of what I can do and trying to brighten areas of things I need improvement on. And always putting forth time and energy to help others to shine brighter. As is the trend in some embellishments, I am starting to embrace the flashes of gold and silver instead of the matted hues.
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FOCUS
I chose it after careful consideration and a lengthy elimination process. Seriously! I chose FOCUS because I have changes that I would like to make in the coming year and they won't happen without proper attention, emphasis and effort given to them. I know this about myself .... that too often I get sidetracked and lose sight of my goals. Making FOCUS my OLW this year gives me a real chance at success and achievement of the things that matter most to me.
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enough
I am enough! Enough stuff, enough waiting….giving the enough thought to others, you are enough!
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LET IT GO
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Light
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Change.
Big change coming in 2015, our son is graduating and moving to collage, change in homes, change is job, I have moved to supervisor, change in body, change in attitude, change in schedule. Just plain change. Really it's the going to collage.
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brilliant - because I love the sound of it and because an idea, a look, a thought, a person, a day, a trip, and so much more can all be brilliant. Can't wait to live it every day.
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Intention - as in daily intention or yoga intention. It chose me as it always does. I want something to remind me to stay on my daily course of gratitude, of being mindful, aware, living fully and with intent.
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Push
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JOURNEY is my 2015 word - I have had a great year with my 2014 word, SAVOR, and have done more with my 2014 OLW album than ever before, but I am looking forward to a new word and all that it has in store for me. I already have my Colleen Attara JOURNEY, and it's propped up on the top of my SAVOR canvas from last winter. Bring on the New Year!
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I love reading about all the words and how you all happened upon them. My word is Simplicity.
http://omywerd.blogspot.ca/2014/12/another-word.html?spref=fb
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I'm going with HELLO this year. I listened to Liz's readings several times, went through lists and stewed on it probably too much but this is the one that kept feeling right. I already have some life areas that I know I want to say HELLO to and I think it is a positive way to welcome in things that I often shy away from or procrastinate. Not sure I'll join the class yet (epic fail on my part for 2 years at BPC) but I am looking forward to having a good OLW year! Some work well, some don't but I have a good feeling about this one.
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strong
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Yield appeared to me in November. Not the submissive yield, but the Yield in this journey of life when you have to yield to the traffic in order to get into the flow; Yield to what is real. And yield is a noun too...produce things that matter, whether a clean house or projects. I know my Word came from your September, 2014, prompt: what is the real story? It was the most profound prompt in the 2 years I've done OLW. I have been telling myself untrue stories, living with Magical Thinking. Magical Thinking was a lifesaver so I could move through divorce, child-rearing, career without distraction. But in retirement, the distractions are gone and I'm left with myself. I need to Yield to what is real and find out how to Embrace (my 2014 Word) who I truly am and what matters the most at this time in my life when I'm alone so much and living in my own head. I'm kinda scared because I have to guard against the instinct to get lost in what the real story WAS, so will have to work really hard on remembering my definition this year. Thank you, Ali. You already Give so much.
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CULTIVATE!
My OLW for 2015 is CULTIVATE. I wanted to continue OLW with a verb - last year was try. I like an action word! Cultivate is defined as applying oneself to improving or developing. Exactly what I am trying to achieve in 2015! "Progress not perfection". I plan on using this action word for the OLW project and a project of my own based in scripture.
CULTIVATE for me allows me to work on myself, my attitude, my faith. Cultivate allows me to work with my boys to cultivate learning of their environment, their faith, and allow them to cultivate their personality by me cultivating acceptance. Cultivate provides opportunities to cultivate a deeper relationship with my husband, my close friends and cultivate new relationships.
Cultivating me in 2015!
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I'm in with Connect. Connect with others. Connect my feet to the pavement and begin running again. Connect my fingers to paper and create.
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SHINE
I was convinced my word was going to be "breathe" but in the last few days shine popped up and took hold. Can't wait to see what the year has in store...
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My word is BETTER. I often get caught up in the perfect or nothing. I will get paralyzed by fear of failure. So I want to be better, feel better, get better, and love better.
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HAPPY
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Yield
The first definition is "to produce or provide". The second definition is "to give way". The third definition is "income based on investment". I need a little of all of those in my life...producing good things and giving way and realizing that both of those things in turn give me a good 'income' from the investment. :)
Love this!!
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My OLW for 2015 is HEALTHY. A healthy mind, body and spirit. I am excited and looking forward to seeing where this word takes me.
Mine is exercise - we are in the same ballpark!
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{LOVE}
I joined the 2014 OLW class mid-year. It was at a point where I was fast approaching the end of my marriage and finalizing my divorce. My word has been forgive and I think I have made significant strides and progress towards living my 2014 word. For 2015, I'm ready to move in a positive direction. To find LOVE, to give LOVE, to receive LOVE, and to LOVE myself. I am so excited for 2015, because 2014 is ending on such a wonderfully positive note. I have you to thank Ali. You have been an inspiration to me. Thank you, thank YOU! --Desiree L.
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My word, SPARK, showed up in your post. Cool!
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ACTION. I am a procastinator. I wanted to make action my one word so I'd stop procastinating and just act on them, do them. Time is fleeting.
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