one word 2011

December 22, 2010
185 Comments 

I’ve never been a New Year’s resolutions girl.spacer

I just can’t bring myself to do it. I think I tried once. And a few months later when I couldn’t even remember what my resolutions were — or where my list was — I felt like a miserable failure.

And I’ve never resolutioned again.

But last year I decided to choose one word to focus on. My own personal non-resolution resolution.

No list. No specifics. No goals. Just one word.

Risk.

And I stayed mindful of it all year.

It helped me make decisions. Take steps. Share my heart. It spurred me on. Challenged me. Inspired me. I loved it and I hated it, but I didn’t forget it.

It was just one word.

But it made a huge difference in my year. In my life.

Many of you joined me in the one word challenge. All year, I journeyed with you through your blog posts, twitter statuses, and conversations. I watched as you embraced your word. As you allowed it to lead you through your year. As God used it to mold and shape you.

One word.

One simple, powerful word.

It’s time to choose a new one for the new year.

I finally settled on mine. It felt like a difficult decision. I had lists of options. All good words. All things I want to be, or live, or do. But ultimately, I needed to choose just one.

And in line with the rest of 2010, I had to risk even in this.

Which, after the year I’ve had, feels like no small thing.

But I felt like God was drawing me to this word. Like it was less about me choosing it and more about it choosing me.

So I held my breath, shut my welly eyes tight, and committed to it.

Will you consider one-wording it with us this year?

Maybe a solitary word grabs your heart right this moment. Maybe, like me, you need to make a list and then ask Him to guide you from there.

And then let’s walk this road together. As a community. As a family.

What do you want to focus on in 2011?

Who do you want to be?

You can do this.

We can do this.

Together.

One Word 2011.

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Posted by alece on December 22, 2010 · 185 Comments 

Comments

185 Responses to “one word 2011”
  1. spacer Sharkbait says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:07 AM

    FISH.

    (Faithful In Serving HIM)

    Technically I suppose it was my word for this year as well, but I don’t feel I got it quite right. So I guess take 2 (million)

    Reply
  2. spacer Elora
    @eloranicole
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:08 AM

    Love the new graphic. As for my one word…I already know what it is. Pretty thrilled to commit. :)

    Reply
  3. spacer Jessie says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    God gave me a word in counseling yesterday; I was telling her about your “one word” and how Katie and I’d been talking about 2011 and picking a word, and she’s said, “Let’s ask God for it.” I felt nervous at first about that (!), but in prayer I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me: “Joy. Exceedingly great joy,” and she prayed that God would “fill me to overflowing with joy, like a cup running over…” and I looked up and said, “That’s it!” After these devastating months of grieving Dad’s sudden death, it really brings me comfort to know that God wants to restore joy to my heart in the next year, even in the midst of the pain that will be lingering for a while. Love you, Alece.

    Reply
    • spacer Jessie says:
      December 29, 2010 at 1:18 PM

      I think I may have two words for 2011…hoping to blog about it 1/1!

      Reply
  4. spacer Mandy says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:13 AM

    I have actually been thinking about this for a few weeks now. And I know what my word should be. And I don’t want it to be that because it’s a hard word. :) Kicking and screaming… that’s me.

    Reply
  5. spacer Allison
    @Allison0105
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:15 AM

    I’m defintely with you on the no resolutions resolution. I love this. A couple of words come to mind already. I’m so ready for 2010 to get out the door…really.

    Reply
  6. spacer steph says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    I’m going to pray about this word, and get back to you! :)

    Reply
  7. spacer Heather says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:20 AM

    Alece-I got it instantly. I didn’t do it this year because I think God was prepping my land, heart and soul for it. My word wouldn’t make sense for 2010. The ground is prepped, my heart is ready. And I am willing. Bring it.

    Reply
  8. spacer Jason says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:23 AM

    Good luck with your one word this year. (And to the others one-wording it.)

    Reply
  9. spacer Mary
    @maryjohess
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:27 AM

    I have mine. And I was shocked at what it was.

    Reply
  10. spacer Jenny says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:44 AM

    Whooooo hoooo! I have mine – squee! It became the basis of our Christmas cards :) Will start to spread the word…. the one word!

    Reply
  11. spacer Prudence
    @PrudyChick
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:50 AM

    I’m in. God’s already trying to work it in my life.

    Reply
  12. spacer Jennifer says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:57 AM

    I have my one word. It came to me instantly, and is perfect for 2011 and the plans that are in place for the coming year. So exciting and terrifying, all at once!!

    Reply
  13. spacer Hannah Ruth
    @hannahruthie
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    I thought I had my word, but now I’m going between two.
    But whatever it ends up being, I’m still loving this graphic! i am ready to rock my one word for 2011!

    Reply
  14. spacer Melissa says:
    December 22, 2010 at 12:16 PM

    there’s nothing like one word to keep you focused….last year it was new. i had no idea that NEW would actually be simultaneous with STRIPPED but that is the God we serve. The scripture for the year was, “Behold I make all things new…” and He has. He has taken away relationships, like my Dad’s when he passed in June and restored others. He has given me new desires and renewed purposed. Will be good to reflect back.

    This is also something I do in quiet prayer time…not often, but when I feel like I need focus, I just ask the Lord to put one word on my heart and then I do a word study. Lately that word has been FAITHFUL. So that could be the direction the Lord is leading. Not sure. But I will pray on it and see.

    Reply
  15. spacer Heidi Stephen says:
    December 22, 2010 at 12:59 PM

    I’ve been thinking about this for a couple weeks and I have landed on mine!

    I came in halfway last year in choosing the one-word, but I had actually been focusing from the very beginning of last year on that word already – healing.

    Now, as we are approaching 2011, I am excited to see the word I feel He has led me too.

    I LOVE that you do this Alece!

    Reply
  16. spacer jessica says:
    December 22, 2010 at 1:05 PM

    Count me in! Now, what will that word be?…..

    Reply
  17. spacer patricia
    @pa3cia
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 1:10 PM

    my one word last year (well 2 words) = dream big.

    already got my one word for 2011

    Reply
  18. spacer Paul says:
    December 22, 2010 at 1:59 PM

    If you don’t mind having another guy join the crowd, I’m in too. I think I’ve got my one word; gonna ruminate on it for a few days. Thanks for spurring on this effort. I’m looking forward to happens for all of us!

    Reply
  19. spacer Tony Alicea
    @tonyjalicea
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 2:49 PM

    “Resolution”

    It’s time to resolve some things in my life. I want resolution on past issues so I can focus on the present. I also want resolution to EVERYTHING I start this year. I don’t want to leave anything half done. I want to fulfill my dreams, not just buy a DSLR camera and leave it in my closet. Not just pick up a guitar for 3 weeks, then put it back in the case. Not just write a business plan and then never get the business up and running.

    I’m determined for 2011 to be a year of resolution. Closing the door on the old, opening the door to the new and following through to the end.

    And now I think I have my first blog post for 2011. I may beat this writer’s block yet! Thanks Alece.

    Reply
    • spacer Dee says:
      January 15, 2011 at 5:01 PM

      Love what you wrote. And I can relate. RESOLUTION – resolving past issues and focus on the present! Amen to that! Good luck with your upcoming business. I’ve said a quick prayer for you. God Bless your new endeavors.

      Reply
  20. spacer nikkie says:
    December 22, 2010 at 3:16 PM

    let’s do it.

    Reply
  21. spacer Edfromct says:
    December 22, 2010 at 6:35 PM

    I think having one word to focus on is a great idea. Especially now that I am older, and with my short term memory is shot, focusing on one thing at a time is hard enough.

    Last year my word was Today, focusing on one day, one task, at a time. This is how I have tried to live since I retired, and I should have started earlier.

    This year I am choosing a more reflective word – Mirror (as in the man in it)

    At the end each day I want to see a confident, smiling, face looking back at me. Someone who has made some difference in making the world a better place, and has had fun doing it.

    Reply
    • spacer Dee says:
      January 15, 2011 at 5:06 PM

      … a more confident, smiling, face looking back at me – what a great way to start each day in the new year. I certainly could stand to smile more … in spite of the challenges in life … confidence …. its so easy to loose confidence in life’s challenges. As I too look in the mirror each day, I will not think of your words. Thank you. I don’t know what my 1 word will be yet … but you certainly have given me “food for thought” – thank you

      Reply
  22. spacer Christy
    @crittyjoy
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 7:51 PM

    I did this for the first time this year and that word stayed with me all year. He has already given me my word for 2011 and I am excited about it. This sounds great Alece…I am so in.

    Reply
  23. spacer Peacefulexistence says:
    December 22, 2010 at 8:50 PM

    I’m so IN!!!! I spoke to one of my cousins about your 2010 “one-word” challenge when I was at home visiting last month for the Thanksgiving holiday. She and I have both agreed to do the “One Word 2011″ challenge. I must admit that I’m a little nervous, but I’m eager to see how God will use this to shape & mold me into more of the woman he has created me to be. I have a list of about 4 words…I may have to two-word it, Alece. :-)

    Reply
  24. spacer raisin says:
    December 22, 2010 at 9:31 PM

    Okay, I’m so excited you posted this b/c for the last week or so I keep thinking “how is her year of RISK ending??” and I wanted to email you about it. Notice how I haven’t done that? Oy.

    Anyway, I was also thinking I would do the one word thing this year and even had a word all picked out…. but now I can’t remember. I think it was commitment. But the non-committal part of me wants to say that wasn’t it. ;o)

    I’m terrible at commiting to certain things. Daily things. Routine things. Horrible at it. I’m also horrible at commiting to myself and my family more than I commit my time and energy to others. Such a bad thing when you have three kids, a husband who works crazy hours, and homeschool.

    I also need to find a word that makes me take care of myself more. This has kind of been a landslide year of burnout and it all boils down to not taking care of ME better.

    I might need two words. Family Commitment. ha!

    Also, you know when you say or type or write a word over and over again so much that it begins to look weird and you think you spelled it wrong. Yeah, I dictionary.com’d commit and all variations. haha!

    Reply
    • spacer raisin says:
      December 22, 2010 at 9:32 PM

      oh, and WHAT is your word??? ;o)

      Reply
      • spacer alece
        @gritandglory
        says:
        December 22, 2010 at 10:58 PM

        gonna have to wait till 1/1/11 for that one!

        Reply
        • spacer raisin says:
          December 23, 2010 at 1:56 AM

          hmmm…. maybe I’ll adopt “patience” as my word to finish out this year. ;o)

          Reply
        • spacer raisin says:
          January 1, 2011 at 2:09 PM

          it’s 1/1/11…….. ;o)

          Reply
  25. spacer Katy
    @bahava
    says:
    December 22, 2010 at 11:38 PM

    pretty sure i got my word. though it scares me. a. lot. so maybe god will give me a different one in the meantime? but i’m kinda committed to this one sooooooooo we’ll see. =)

    Reply
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