searching for the words

Words can be little gifts for your soul. You find the right one and it speaks straight to your heart.

I gravitate towards words all year long; grace, hope, and trust (pictured above, handwritten on a the tiniest seashell. A treasure from a friend who constantly inspires me with words.) Sometimes words choose me. That very thing happened this past year on my trip to California for Camp . On our first night there pre-camp, we gathered for dinner, randomly choosing our own seats at the table. At each seat was a mug with a medallion tied to it,  each medallion imprinted with a different word. I sat down and the medallion in front of me said "journey". It was the perfect word for that very moment. That was exactly what I was on, a huge personal journey. I fixed that medallion around my neck for the entire week.

All month long we are celebrating "your word" . I love pouring over the One Word pool  on Flickr reading all your chosen words and seeing the images you have captured to convey your word. Some an interpretation of a word, others the word is the image, and some choosing to layer their word over their image. I can feel the purpose in your chosen words, the power they hold. Helping you set your intentions for this year ahead. Your word may be a reminder to yourself, a word to empower you, or maybe a word to help keep you on a certain path. Perhaps you have not chosen a word yet, no worries, you are not alone. Give yourself permission to take your time. I have not chosen one in particular, instead I am feeling a pull toward a few words this new year; balance, center, simplify...  I think I will embrace all 3. That is what is so great, it is your word. You can have more than one, you can change it if you like, only you know what word you need and when. Do you write it down? Wear it around your neck? Ink it permanently on your skin? Or try it out with a marker? What words are whispering to your heart these days? 

Comments

[Marcie]

A short list of the many words - at the beginning of this new year - that inspire me:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/home/2012/1/3/a-string-of-wishes.html

[pthurmond1]

People. I want to feel comfortable photographing people.

[LeAnne]

I'm participating in Big Picture classes One Little Word class this year and it has really helped me be more mindful of my word. I've been choosing a word of the year for several years now, but I believe this project will help me make the most of my word. http://www.photosbyleanne.net/2012/01/once-again-im-digging-back-to-november.html

[carmen]

There are so many wonderful words to choose from... it took me a few days to find mine but here it is -- be.

So here is to all of us in our journey this year, may we carry our words with us, make it apart of our lives and expand and grow. Thanks to all of you who are taking this same path -- I know I don't have to feel alone.

http://decentxposure.ca/exblog/?p=862

[georgia]

thank you, kristin. i'm honored to have my photo and word among your thoughts today.

i love how "journey" found you. it's pretty cool how those things happen... and how when we open our eyes to see and notice, they are probably happening more than we realize. words are so great... when used the right way, of course. love your post and photo. those shells are a treasure indeed.

i continue to layer words, thoughts and photos...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28567264@N05/6633364493/in/photostream/
i think i will all year as i focus on quiet.

[Kat]

I am glad to know that I am not alone with more than one word that appeals to me! My themes for this year are empowerment and connection. I've started the year off with some ideas about increasing connection - to my photos and to others: http://kateyestudio.com/2012/01/develop-a-photo-heart-connection.html

[kelly barton]

mmmmm....finding the words can be such a struggle. i think mostly because we fear we will pick them wrong one or get through half the year and decide it is another word.

i love the more than one idea and actually the last couple of years i have had more than one.

i am a scorpio...rather fickle ya know!

[Debbie E]

aww thank you Kristin for including mine. I love my this too shall pass tatoo,,anytime my anxeity gets high or I start freaking about all the bad, I remember,it will pass.Words are so important. My word for this year is survive,tho its been pointed out by a few friends it should be THRIVE! so im going with their word for me as its much more positive
xo

[Vanessa]

my word totally found me last year- CHANGE. It was such a crazy year full of change. I am still sitting on what myword will be this year...

[Corinna]

I have decided this is my year to CULTIVATE. I'm not a gardener, but some very important people in my life are, and I'm going let them be my gurus this year. I will work my own interior soil, and see what grows and blossoms.
http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2012/1/1/one-little-word.html

[Christineellen]

Thank you for including my photo. Words just like photos cvan be so powerful and tought provoking.

[kylie]

this year i am having difficulty choosing my one word, so many keep coming to me - trust, jump, go, open... im sure the word, or a few words, will find me soon :-)
love the shells, they are beautiful.

[Ai]

Beautiful photo and beautiful words Kristin. My one word has been Cherish, but like you, I actually have more than one. And they are words I cherish: strength, beauty, life, love, joy, memories, and the present. Today I cherish tradition.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ailovesthis/6636522821/

[Laura Louise]

your post and words...so timely. thank you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35374947@N04/6636588181/in/photostream

[Dotti]

Ahh! Thank you for this lovely post, Kristin. My 2012 word found me and I wrote about it on our blog this morning:

http://www.camperky.com/2012/01/2012-renew.html

[Kelly]

My word for 2012....
BECOME...


http://kelly-justaclickaway.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-word-is.html

[damiec]

I have found this to be such a useful exercise for the past few years.Sometimes it has been a struggle to find the word that fit, this year, II knew it almost as soon as I asked myself the question.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/6637245293/

[Adriana]

My grown up self's word is CARE.
Because in 2012 I neglected some things. Because I need to slow down, pay attention and be in the moment (take care). Because I CARE enough to make changes.

My inner child's word is SPARKLE.
As in let's make 2012 a bit more sparkly Or let's sparkle up this meal Or hey where's your sparkle today?

[Wendy]

My word is Decide. So glad I Decided to have a word this year :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wendytienken/6637859623/

[Jodi]

Thank you for including my photo. YOUR words and photos are continually an inspiration to me.

[Amber ~ Cloud9 Design Studio]

Thanks for sharing this lovely and inspiring post. I did Ali Edwards' OLW class last year and LOVED it! Still have not chosen my word for this year yet...thanks for encouraging me! :)

http://www.facebook.com/cloud9designstudio

[Jeanne]

I just read this, and I also have three for this year, too!

http://bostongirlontheverge.blogspot.com/2012/01/words-for-year.html

[Shawna]

My current watchword is the slightly nerdish "consolidate". It seems that my life is made of of so many disparate elements these days - each one satisfying a different personal need - that finding activities/jobs/etc. that fulfill more than one requirement at a time would save me time I could then spend with my kids.

[Uggs on sale]

<a href="http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/">Ugg boots clearance</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/">ugg outlet</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/">Ugg boots clearance uk</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/">ugg boots on clearance</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/">ugg clearance</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/ugg-jimmy-choo-boots">UGG and Jimmy Choo Boots</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/ugg-boots-metallic-classic-short">UGG Boots Metallic Classic Short</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/">Ugg boots sale</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/">Ugg boots for sale</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/">UGG boots on sale</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/">Ugg boots sale uk</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/">Ugg boots sale 2011</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/">new style ugg boots 2011</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/ugg-boots-bailey-button">Ugg boots bailey button</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/ugg-boots-classic-tall">Ugg boots classic tall</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssalea.co.uk/">Uggs on sale</a>
<a href="http://www.uggbootssalea.co.uk/">Ugg boots sale</a>

http://www.uggbootssalea.co.uk/
http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/
http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/ugg-jimmy-choo-boots
http://www.uggbootsclearance.uk.com/ugg-boots-metallic-classic-short
http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/
http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/ugg-boots-bailey-button
http://www.uggbootssaleu.uk.com/ugg-boots-classic-tall

[dfas]

http://www.topbagsui.com/gucci-handbags-gucci-monogram-bags-c-157_202.html
e elements these days - each one satisfying a different personal need - that finding activities/jobs/etc