My Word For 2011 . . .

Change Begins With A Word… Photo By Ali Edwards.

According to Ali Edwards, one little word can change your life.

With that in mind, this year, I am setting aside the traditional approach to New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of creating a lofty wish list that lies beyond the realm of achievability, or an unmotivating list of “should do’s”, I am picking one little word to serve as my guiding principle in the new year.

That word is . . .

S I M P L I F Y

I’ve been thinking about this concept for quite some time, but the thought solidified in my mind over the holidays. I cut back back on a number of activities I normally participate in, and instead of missing them, I reveled in the gifts that a little extra time and space brought with them. More time to relax. More time for loved ones. More time for pursuits that really matter.

In Living The Simple Life, Elaine St. James writes:

Simplifying is not necessarily about getting rid of everything we’ve worked so hard for. It’s about making wise choices among the things we now have to choose from. It’s about recognizing that trying to have it all has gotten in the way of enjoying the things which do add to our happiness and well-being. So it’s about deciding what’s important to us, and gracefully letting go of the things that aren’t.

So, over the course of 2011, my goal is to tackle some major aspects of my life with this guiding principle in mind. I look forward to sharing my journey with you as I work towards creating a simpler, yet more rewarding life!

Resources

Are you new to the One Little Word concept? You can learn more about Ali Edward’s approach in her original and current posts:  2007 and 2011.

35 Responses to “My Word For 2011 . . .”

Read below or add a comment...

  1. ~Dawn~ says:

    What a great choice of word to live by in 2011. Best of luck to you and Cheers to a new year!!

    Dawn

  2. Kate says:

    This is a wonderful choice! I have a cute little country style decor hanging above my hallway door and it says "Simplify" It's a reminder everyday I get ready to head out of the house what I need to do. Life should be easy and stress free. 🙂

    xoxo
    Kate

  3. Alida says:

    "It's about making wise choices among the things we now have to choose from. It's about recognizing that trying to have it all has gotten in the way of enjoying the things which do add to our happiness and well-being."

    Love this!! Great word choice.

    Looking forward to reading about how this word transforms your life in 2011.

    Alida

  4. Yvonne @ StoneGable says:

    Good word!
    I need to simplify too!
    Yvonne

  5. marilyn says:

    oh..you a breath of fresh air!! I needed that!! I am so excited to bring simplicity into my life too!! I dropped some activities I paid for and I have found I never even needed them..I had what i needed right in front of me!

  6. Denise says:

    What a wonderful word for 2011 🙂 Happy New Year!

  7. Tamara says:

    What a perfect word choice! I should probably make 'simplify' my word too.

    Just stopping by from the Say Hi Sunday Blog Hop. I'd love it if you'd come vist and follow me too at my new giveaway blog, Swagtastic Mama!

  8. Linda says:

    Yup, that would be a stretch for me but yea, I see that as a good thing. Maybe I could simplify somewhere. Gonna keep that in mind…:) ha ha

  9. Beverley Baird says:

    The word of intention is such a great tool! I chose a word last year and have done so again this year – balance.
    I love your word and what it implies!

  10. Alliejean says:

    Following you from More followers Monday. I would love it if you could follow me too.

  11. Heather says:

    That is a great word. I am going to have to check this out. I think I know what I want my word to be. Have a Happy New Year!!!

  12. Kim says:

    Hi! I'm a new follower from Tuesday Tag. So glad I found your blog. Looking forward to reading more.

    Green Momma

  13. Christa says:

    Following from MFM!

    Simplify is absolutely on my list of things to do in the New Year as is organization!

  14. Jennifer says:

    Beautiful! My TT:

  15. moncheri says:

    Following you via Tuesday Blog Trail. Hope you will follow me back too @ http://masalabowl.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-234-tuesday-blog-hop.html#comments

  16. lis-m says:

    found you thro' Feline playful.I am now a Feline follower!
    Happy New Year!
    Hugs xx

  17. Yvonne says:

    Great word! Happy New Year!

  18. Mrs_Thielke says:

    What a great idea! Can't wait to see how it all goes!

    Following from Miscellany Mondays!

  19. Grandma Yellow Hair says:

    Great choice! Mine should be organize!
    Just thinking of you and wanted to come by and say hello.
    Hope your doing well and that you have a very Happy New Year
    Love
    Maggie

  20. Rebecca says:

    Love the one word selection!

    New follower from Wednesday Window!

    Becca from Becca's Perspective

  21. Renee Ann says:

    I'm visiting from the Wednesday Window Blog Hop. You have a lovely site which matches the word you've chosen for 2011. Wishing you success as you pursue your goals! Blessings!

  22. karlinchen50 says:

    Hi,
    I am from Feline Playful blog.
    I am a new Followers of your blog.
    Your blog is beautiful.
    Happy New Year!
    Hugs Karla

  23. mimilovesall8 says:

    I am a new follower of yours!
    Thanks, http://mimilovesall8.blogspot.com

  24. Janis@Open My Ears Lord says:

    Interesting word choice. Our women's group is doing a Bible Study by Cynthia Heald on Simplicity. It's always good to get the excess out of our lives.

    Blessings,
    Janis

    Saw you posted at Spiritual Sundays

  25. Meri says:

    The word "simplify" is very important for me to remember, especially lately. I think I am going to adopt this word to focus on with you, as well as "joy," which I think is equally important!
    Cheers!
    Meri

  26. Stacy Uncorked says:

    My word for this year is "Simplify", too! 🙂

    Aloha: Pets

  27. Deni says:

    My word would be: Embrace

  28. Charlotte | Life's a Charm! says:

    Wow! That is a great word to live by …
    I have always gone by with 'Live and let live.' … helps me stop complaining about myself, my life and other people. but that's too many word isn't it? So maybe I'd choose just 'Live'.

  29. Rach says:

    great word choice, mine would have to be healthier

  30. Amy Sullivan says:

    I like your word. My word for this year is dreams. This is the year I am working on making some of those crazy ideas that float around my head happen.

    Glad to find you through Saturday Sampling!

  31. Mrs4444 says:

    I love this idea. For me, I might also choose Simplify. Or maybe Breathe. Thanks for linking this up.

  32. Emily says:

    I am disabled, mostly homebound, so I've been forced to Simplify. I have found that it has opened the creative side of my mind, allowing me to blog. Before I stopped working I never wrote a word, then all of a sudden I wrote. and the ideas have not stopped. I am never stuck for a topic.

    Simplify = Creativity

  33. Hannah says:

    What a wonderful word to focus on! Simplifying is something that I'm sure many of us could benefit from thinking about this year.

    Have a lovely day! 🙂
    –Hannah

  34. Kelly Massman says:

    Great choice! Wouldn't it be fun if the whole world chose that word?
    I've headed over from Denise's blog challenge Project 2011 where we use up stash!

Leave a Reply to Beverley Baird Cancel reply

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.