what will you focus on?

Happy New Year everyone! All of us here at Shutter Sisters hope this first day of 2011 finds you happy, healthy and ready to begin your next chapter. New Years is like that, isn't it? A time to bid adieu to the year that has past as we welcome a brand new beginning. Now that we've stepped into January, we no longer need to look back and balance between two worlds. Instead we can look ahead, put one foot in front of the other and head into the promise and possibility that the future holds.

The first of the month always marks the One Word Project here at Shutter Sisters. It all began a few years back with inspiration from the awesome Ali Edwards and her One Little Word and since then we've dared to dream, wish, share, nurture and play. We've turned our lenses toward beauty, motion and gratitude. It's been nothing short of inspiring!

As Ali has said, "One Little Word can make a big impact on your life" and we know it to be true.

There is no time like today to find a word that will help define the year ahead for you. Have you considered what YOUR word will be this year?

To kick off the One Word Project, we want to encourage you to shoot your own word this month. Yep! It's all up to you! And because we believe that the intention set by your word can help shape/change/influence your entire year, we are putting our energies into community encouragement and accountability. Let's keep our word close this year. Let's use it to set into motion what we want this year to look like for ourselves.

If you feel like this kind of momentum might help you focus this year on your intentions, we are reccommending Ali's year long class One Little Word. Class begins today and is best explained by Ali on her class description page. Read what she's got to say. Listen to her insights and join us as we collectively use creativity (and of course photography) to fuel our hopes and dreams for 2011.

So, let's hear it...what's your word? Share it today in the comments and don't forget to add your One Word Project shots to our OWP Flickr pool. Be sure to tag them with your word so we know where your best intentions lie.

Happy New Year! It's going to be a good one. We can feel it!

Comments

[Leah]

I think I'm going to focus on PEACE this month. After the craziness of last year. :)

[Jenny Modesitt]

mine is love....my goal is love over fear as I start a new journey this year.

[KimA]

I too like PEACE. Peace in my life, peace in my heart, just enjoying life and not getting stressed over the little things. Yes PEACE it is.

[stacy a]

my word is connect... finding new ways to connect with friends, family, God, myself, community...

[Lee]

My word is "DO" and I've already joined in the One Word class with AE on BPC and a OLW | Captured challenge with my very talented friend Jill: http://thelinarstudio.typepad.com/embracelife/2011/01/one-little-word-captured-01.html I'm very excited to "DO" much in 2011!

Happy New Year all :)

[christine]

Love is my word this year. :)

[sharon]

Gratitude.

after the hardest two years of my life, losing my baby during birth and anxiously awaiting another baby. God is healing our hearts and giving our family hope. I want to focus on the gratitude I feel now and be a more thankful person for the rest of my life!

http://lovelybud.typepad.com/lovely-bud/2010/12/very-merry-and-grateful.html

[Texan Mama]

Wow, so many things to think about.
I want to focus on my SELF a little bit more, because I'm becoming a slave to my family and house and it's making me bitter. I want to change that.

I want to recognize what my dream is, and if I have the power to overcome my self-imposed limitations in order to achieve it.

I want to be okay with saying no and not worrying if people will be offended or put off. If I can be polite and honest, I hope I can have thick enough skin to deflect any feelings I'm just imagining they're having towards me.

As I type this, it all feels so selfish. Maybe that, in and of itself, is something I need to work on in 2011: recognizing that it's not selfish to invest in myself.

[Jennifée]

Love that image so much - I wouldn't have thought to look for hearts in the coffee :)

My word is LIGHT.
http://littlescribe.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/resolutions/

[Audra Van Vliet]

CHANGE

[Debra]

The word I've chosen for 2011 is INVEST.

http://debrakreps.squarespace.com/blog/2011/1/1/touchstone-word-2011.html

[joanna kapica]

ACT
as be active and keep working on things- don't sit down until it's done.

[Kristy Life-n-Reflection]

One word is very tough - I'm thinking DEFINE

[Jen at Cabin Fever]

My word changes every single day. That's the whole meaning behind my new photo project! Today's is "Life"...

http://only365words.blogspot.com

[FireMom]

My word for 2011 is possibility. I think I'm going to shoot a bit of possibility this month to get me in the mood for focus! If it would SNOW, that would make it easier. ;)

http://stopdropandblog.com/2011/01/01/possibility-my-word-for-2011/

[AnnGeeDee]

The word that chose me this year is PLAN. I can't seem to get it out of my head and so rather than fight it, I'm just going to go with it. I'll be curious to see how the word unfolds for me in 2011. (DO was my word for 2010 and it was amazing.)

[Tara R.]

The word I've picked is Promise.

http://thinspiralnotebook.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/promises-promises/

[Becky Sue]

I was first thinking 'focus' but found that to be too sharp and direct and then came to 'clarity' which brings to mind a song by the Indigo Girls that I've always loved called Closer to Fine, "... I went in seeking clarity." So here's to going into 2011 seeking clarity.

[Vanessa]

creativity.
in my daily job, outside the 5to9, with my family and friends.
I want it o shine through my entire life.
Ihttp://www.flickr.com/photos/glitch_nitch/5312587385/

[Chelsea C]

My word is EMBRACE.

http://heartsandscars.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-day-1-2.html

[Marcie]

GROW. It's my word for this year. Happy New Year to everyone here at Shutter Sisters!!

[Lauren]

2011 is the year of the journal for me!
http://doublehdesign.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011welcome-to-year-of-journal.html

[Donns]

this one word project is so great! my one word for 2011 is 'observe'. Happy New Year Shutter Sisters! i love all that you say and take photos of on this blog - so inspirational!

[Jess]

I'm thinking CALM is a good project for me...

http://jessicavescera.blogspot.com/2011/01/staying-in.html

[Jackie]

My word is GROW...I learned a lot about myself last year and this is the year to take what I learned and use it to grow in the things I learn, in how I react, in my spiritual life and life in general...I'm so excited for 2011!!

[lucy]

mine is LEAP -- leaping into the unknown, taking a leap of faith.

[Sally]

JOY! I am so blessed. I want to live my life more intentionally, and recognize the things that bring me joy or steal my joy - but most of all...to be joyful!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49245139@N04/5302628930/

[Lori]

Love this post and the photo!

My word for this year is SIMPLICITY by streamlining and getting less and giving more. Already getting started by giving on my blog. Thanks Shutter Sisters for filling my 2010 with so much inspiration. I'm sure there will be more to come in 2011.

http://lorisanders.blogspot.com/

[Marcia]

STRENGTH

[Samantha]

My word this year is BREATHE. I constantly repeat this word to myself and now I think it is finally time to listen to myself.

[mosey]

You were obviously reading my mind, because my word is INTENTION. But I love all the other words here which I will wrap into my little package of intentions for this month.

[tara]

I love this! My word for 2011 is DREAM. In part because, well, I could use the sleep, but mostly because I want to use the next year to re-imagine myself and my career.

[blissmamaof3]

My word is story as I attempt to record 2011 with Project Life.

[removeyourlenscap]

"intentional" is my word...and here's to another 365 project. yikes!

[Jessie]

I am going with HOPE. I do not know where that will lead but it is what I feel the most right now.

[Jess]

This year, I'm going to SHINE!!!

[Margaret]

2011 is the year of Positive thinking! See the positive in all we do, let the negative go!

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ~ Wayne Dyer

[Brenda]

I initially was thinking Creativity but as I ponder what I meant by creativity, I'm realizing that what I really mean is Grow. I'm at a stage where I'm growing in my career and yet feeling a block in my creativity. What's behind that block is a fear of change and growth. Growing as a person, growing as a photographer, growing as an artist.

[missy]

My word is...WAIT.

I've been shoving it aside all day. I want a different word. One that doesn't suggest possible hard-life lessons are coming my way.

But deep down I know my word for 2011 is wait. It won't leave me alone.

http://www.allireallyneed.ca/2011/01/one-word-wait/

[maureen]

intention: a course of action that one intends to follow, an aim that guides action; an objective

[Debbie B.]

Explore - This year I will make a conscious effort to EXPLORE more. Explore my self and work on the things I've been trying to "fix" for the last few years. Explore the things that make me and my family happy, safe and content. Explore new places and new challenges.

Yes, it is time to stop being a couch potato..grab the camera or some quiet time for looking inside and let's go EXPLORING.

[monica]

My word for 2011 is PRACTICE. I want to practice writing, seeing, and gratitude this year.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pennieseverywhere/5314387471/

[Holly { Soupatraveler }]

I chose EXPANSION for my word for 2011. And for this month, I'll borrow Lee's word, "DO"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/soupatraveler/5225003673/in/set-72157625385823173/

[Laura]

EMERGE. To arise, develop, break forth from hiddenness, personally and artistically.
What a wonderful idea the One Word Project is!
Best wishes to all as you explore your own words this year!

[Kimberly]

We just has a girls get-together to come up with our words for the year! Mine is ASPIRE as there are so many things I aspire to do this year, and as I finally have a clear vision of where I want to go, it is perfect for this year.

I posted about it here~
http://kimberlytaylorimages.com/mimicharmante/?p=1633

Happy New Year!
xx

[Summer]

Thank you for inspiring. . .

My word is slow. I want to slow down and see the beauty, feel the beauty and capture the beauty of each moment.

[retrohipmama]

I am so glad to have found your site. I just joined a P52 group and Flickr because I really want the inspiration and community that comes from all of us doing these together!

Thank you for being here and I can't wait to dive into these two projects!

[Camper1]

My word is FOCUS. I want to Focus on me and not my many illnesses and limitations.

[judybugs7]

My word for the year is "CONTROL".....getting control, having control and keeping things under control. Covers lots of different areas, for sure!

[penny.l]

My word is LOVE. I want to concentrate on it this year; to better love myself, my friends, my family. I want my photography to encapsulate my love for what I see.

http://meledea.blogspot.com/2011/01/all-you-need-is.html