Two years ago I signed up for a class by Ali Edwards called One Little Word. Through this class I picked out a word to be mine for the year…to lead me through a year I knew would be difficult as it would entail two big moves. My word was Enjoy. Throughout the year, I focused on enjoying the moments of my life, no matter how stressful they may be. I kept this word at the forefront of my mind and it made a huge difference in how I viewed life.
Ali Edwards started the concept of One Little Word in 2006 when she decided to choose one single word to be her focus for the year. This concept has grown into a movement with many people participating each year.
Ali challenges you to live with your word, to invite it into your life, to let your word speak to you…and you might even follow where it leads. The possibilities are endless!
I am looking forward to 2014 with so much anticipation.
I am happy with where I am in life, but I also know that I could be happier.
There can be more.
Too often I let my fears hold me back from doing, from giving, and from experiencing all that God has for me.
I don’t do the things that I am prompted to do because to do them would risk vulnerability. And that scares me.
I don’t want my fears to hold me back from being a better Christian, a better wife, a better mom, a better friend, a better blogger, a better scrapbooker, a better…fill in the blank.
So, I have chosen One Little Word to help me focus on facing my fears and not letting them hold me back any longer.
My One Little Word for 2014 is DARE.
Last year I read the book Daring Greatly by researcher Brene Brown and this book had a huge impact on me. The words written by Brene Brown challenged me and it is those words and concepts that I found myself going back to as I was praying about and pondering my focus for this upcoming year.
The title of Brown’s book was sparked by a quote by Teddy Roosevelt in a speech given in 1910.
That’s how I want to live my life…daring greatly to live!
And if I fail…then I have failed while daring.
And somehow I don’t think that’s failure at all.
This year I want to dare to give of myself more that I ever have.
I want to dare to be vulnerable.
I want to dare to let others see me…the real me with all of my quirks and flaws.
I want to dare to be different.
I want to dare to love wholeheartedly.
I want to dare to give a voice to my thoughts.
I want to dare to believe that I am worthy of my calling.
I want to dare to believe that I have a calling.
I want to dare to give more fully to and for and with my husband.
I want to dare to be a grace-giving mom.
I want to dare to life fully.
I could just go on and on…and I will in blog posts to come…but for right now, I simply want to DARE in all the places where I have held back because of fear.
Each Wednesday of this year, I plan to write about my One Little Word that doesn’t seem so little to me after writing all of that.
I’ll be sharing quotes and thoughts pertaining to this word and I’ll be sharing ways that I am daring.
I invite you to join me this year on this journey!
Have you chosen a focus for the new year?
Shirsha says
It’s a lovely and powerful word. Wish you well with your word. I am choosing “Commit” as my word for 2014…I need to be more committed towards my broader life goals and I hope to keeping using this word to drive me towards achieving and completing my goals.
Jodi says
My word is EMBRACE. We have a big move back to the states from living overseas for 4 years. I want to embrace the last 6 months, instead of pushing people away to make it easier.. I want to embrace the move and all that comes with it. Have a great New Years!!!