The One Little Word (OLW) project was started a few years ago by popular memory keeper, Ali Edwards. Instead of making New Years Resolutions she encourages you to choose a word that will help set an intention and tone for your year.
I first joined the community in 2011. That first year my word was Intention, 2012 was Nurture, in 2013 Enjoy, 2014 was Choose and in 2015…
This word has so many meanings and is my first non-literal word. It is metaphorical for so many things in life. In Ali's One Little Word class she provides some amazing prompts to help you really explore your desires and dreams for what your word can be in your life throughout the year.
Using the January prompt I was able to expand on how I want "light" to work in my life this year.
- To shine a light on my creative style and vision through this blog and through my memory keeping hobby.
- To light a spiritual fire through mindfulness and yoga and to spread that light by my example and through my writing.
- To light a fire in our marriage and really deepen our connection emotionally, mentally, and physically, and spiritually.
- To be a light to friends and to continue building and strengthening friendships.
- To be lighter, feel lighter, look lighter by eating healthier, doing some light exercise, and losing some weight.
- To turn on my lightbulb and return to grad school.
This quote from Yogi Bhajan, "travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light," was really inspirational for me and helped solidify "light" as my One Little Word for the year. I keep this quote close in my mind and have thought about it often as the year has progressed.
It's now June and I've had almost a full six months with this word and I think it was a really good choice. It adds a lightness to my mind whenever I think about it and has been integral in pushing me forward in so many areas of my life. This may be my favorite word yet!
I'll keep sharing my One Little Word journey using the monthly prompts. I'll continue to share the visual reminders I see in everyday life over on Instagram. These small moments of mindfulness help keep my intentions for this word and for my life close in mind.
I'll leave you with a "light" quote, from my One Little Word Pinterest board, I've shared here before. It is a quietly powerful mantra from a quietly powerful woman.
Have you ever chosen a word to help guide your life? Is there a word that comes to mind that might help guide you through the second half of this year? Feel free to share in the comments.
I am grateful for you. Thank you for spending a moment with me.
Hi! I'm Marina and I'm a memory keeper. I believe in mindfully living in each moment and in documenting your one beautiful life. Learn more about me and follow my journey at Mindful Memory Keeping