Ali Edwards's Blog, page 204

New Story Theme Now Available | Gatherings

I'm excited to announce that a new Story Theme is now available for my Story Subscription Program: Gatherings. 

This month we are focusing on stories related to gathering: gathering together, gathering courage & strength, gathering stuff (think collections and thoughts), and talking about gathering as a design technique. I made five new layouts with the stamps and kit this month and I'm so happy with how they turned out. 

If you are already a subscriber to you can now access the content in the classroom (make sure you are logged in to your account). 

If you are new to the Story Subscription program, check out all the details here. Please Note: Currently there is a waiting list for the Story Stamp™. You can subscribe now and we will activate your account as soon as we can - this may end up being this month's stamp set or it will be next month's.

Don't forget that there is a Digital Story Kit™ option available if you are a digital memory keeper. As an added bonus, if you subscribe to both the Story Stamp™ and the Story Kit™ you receive the Digital Story Kit™ for free.

Here's a look at the Story Kit™ contents: 

And the Story Stamp™:

Here's a video overview of what's included on the Stamp Set and in the Kit this month: 

Here's a couple peeks at the layouts I made this month with the stamps and kit: 

I'm excited to see what kinds of stories will be told this month!

As always, thank you for considering this subscription program (I know you have a choice in how you spend your memory keeping money) and thank you for being a part of this community!

AE Digital Creative Team | Layout Inspiration

For your viewing pleasure - today I'm sharing some of the recent Digital Creative Team projects. Remember, many of these projects are hybrid vs. full digital. It is seriously so fun to see how others work with these projects to tell their own stories. 

Basically, they rock and I'm pretty sure you can get some inspiration for telling your own stories from these projects. 

Here's a look at what they created this week (don't forget to click on their name to visit their blog - if they have written up a post about their project with more details we've linked to that otherwise it goes to their main blog page): 

You Are Loved | A fun collection of half-circles that you can use as halves or repeat the design for a whole circle. 

Paige Taylor Evans | Paige is the master at working the Silhouette. Such a seriously clever use of this digital set. I totally want to try this myself. 

Kelly Schmidt | Love Kelly's design and random fact journaling. 

Teresa Victor | Love how Teresa combined a few products together for this cute page celebrating a necklace. In addition to the You Are Loved Circles she also used my December Daily® 6x8 Overlays and my Heart Real Life Word Art.

Trisha Harrison | Trisha has lovely Project Life® spreads - here she used a circle and a half circle as homes for her journaling and date stamp. 

Lindsay Bateman | I love how Lindsey varied the color on the text circles. She also used my Noel Word Art

Next up: Diamonds Are Forever | Photos

Annette Haring | Love this crisp and clean design from Annette - always a fan of black and white and repetition of shapes. 

Ginny Hughes | A fun collection of elements here from Ginny - love how she created a pattern with the diamond shapes. 

Stephanie Baxter | Stephanie used "capture this" as a title for a page highlighting visual inspiration from a market. Love those close up images. 

Emily Webster | Emily added "document" on top of a scaled back pattern for a page telling the story of some of the things happening during Week 48. 

Next up: Prompts Digital. These are the stamps that were included in the original Story Stamp™ set. 

Carly Robertson | I totally love how Carly created this page by first creating a background pattern with the "I want to remember" brush and then laying a colorful photo with "today you" on top. Love this whole design. 

Donya Gjerdingen | A great Project Life® spread from Donya with one of my favorite simple uses for this set - as a title for a 3x4 journal card. 

Sasha Farina | Sasha rocks for a variety of reasons - one of which is that she hand-stiched "currently" right onto her layout. Check out some detail shots on her blog. And look at all those words. Love. 

Cristina C. | This one just makes me smile. 

Hope you have a great day! We are getting ready to launch the Gatherings Story Theme later tonight and are taking care of all the last minute stuff that goes into making that happen each month. Hope to see you in the Story Subscription classroom!

The Weekend Lens | Stories Without Photos

I've been on a hiatus from my camera for the last couple of weeks. I think it's a post December Daily® break. There's always an ebb and a flow to this kind of stuff. 

Here's some of the stories from this weekend that I might have captured with my camera: 

Caring for Simon who woke up with a 102 temp on Saturday morning and stayed in bed all weekend. He's one of those kids who is barely ever sick so it's painfully obvious when he is actually sick. Fighting off my own sore throat - had to cancel dinner with friends which was a bummer and something we were all looking forward to but it goes with the sick-kid territory. 

Browsing through Clean Slate: A Cookbook And Guide, the January issue of Country Living magazine, and the February issue of Living (there's a step-by-step for pho in there that I might attempt this year or I might just keep visiting the local place that I love because man that is not a simple process). 

Taking down the Christmas tree and decor. Love the twinkle lights and am looking for a couple ways to keep those going. This should actually say "starting to take down" because I started but didn't finish.

Thinking about the classroom content for the next Story Theme: gatherings. In addition to stories about gathering together I'm thinking about gatherings as a design technique and the ways in which we gather our stories. Excited to share all that with subscribers later this week. Just a few days left to pick up the Firsts kit if you were interested in that one. 

Speaking of gathering, I gathered up a bunch of stuff for Goodwill again. I'm in that tackle every room, closet, drawer mode. And then the question comes up again, how do we acquire so much stuff when it really doesn't feel like I'm buying stuff all the time? No current plans to get rid of any of those shoes in the top photo though - old school Nikes, Sperry Topsiders (my favorite) and good-old Jack Purcells. 

Sending Anna over to stay the night with Aaron and his daughter since Simon was sick. She was so happy to go since she was bummed that we were missing our friend get-together. 

Listening to those same two girls as they played over here on Sunday afternoon and early evening. 

Watching a couple movies on Saturday night: The Book Of Life and Begin Again. Loved both. 

Shopping for groceries on Sunday morning. 

Hanging out with Paolo on Sunday afternoon in my kitchen as he made his way home after a week at shoe-making school in Ashland.  

Building a fire in the fireplace on Sunday and keeping it going most of the day. 

Hope you have a great week!

Give Sunday | 01

This year, in honor of my One Little Word® "give," I'm planning to share a hand-drawn quote each Sunday here on my blog.

It will be words that inspire me, many of which will likely come from my "Words" board on Pinterest. 

I hope these words will also inspire you in one way or another and you will be encouraged to look at the ways you and your family give to yourselves, to each other, and to the world. 

To help you start thinking about ways to give I designed a #givesunday word art set with a checklist. It includes a 4x6 card, the title and the checklist (because, you know, we document). 

Click here to download the #givesunday word art.

And here's the quote for this week (if anyone has a source for this quote I'd love to know - it was listed as "unknown" on Pinterest): 

Updated with attribution: Looks like this is a mash-up of a couple quotes from Ritu Ghatourey and Brigitte Nicole (via this pin - thanks Liz for locating that)

Click here to download the #givesunday 01 quote.

You're invited to join me. What will you give today? 

Have a wonderful Sunday. 

Cancun 2014 | Photos & Words

Aaron and I rang in 2015 on the beach in Cancun, Mexico. 

As many of you know my word for 2015 is give. And as many of you might have read in my reason why post, one of the things I want to work on this year is giving myself a break. I might, ahem, be a little obsessive about work and projects and have seemed to amp up that part of my personality this past year with my business changes. Yes, I have a hard time letting go of control. I wanted (if you ask Katie she'd probably say I "needed") to go somewhere and do pretty much nothing even if for just a few days. There were a couple times I sent her messages about work stuff I'd seen online when I was checking in and she'd say, "You are supposed to be on vacation. Stop working. Get back to relaxing. I've got everything under control."

It was a fairly last-minute trip (booked the week before we left) which limited where we were able to find a place to stay because of the holidays. We found one room that was reasonable in Cancun in the hotel zone at The Royal Caribbean and plane tickets on United. 

Happy New Year digital word art set used on the top photo available here. 

We left Eugene early in the morning on New Year's Eve and made it to Cancun by mid-afternoon. 

I decided to leave my big camera at home because I wanted to simplify things. All these shots were taken with my iPhone 6 (just upgraded after Christmas). 

Make It Happen digital word art is part of my new Goals set available here. 

Our view from our room at The Royal Caribbean. We read on Trip Advisor reviews that this hotel seemed to feature an older crowd which makes it a quieter place - which was fine with us since we weren't really going for the big-time party vibe. There were definitely families with kids there too but for supposedly being full it really didn't feel like it at all. 

Aaron's been to this area of Mexico quite a few times before - usually staying in Akumal (no space available since we booked on such short notice) - so it was fun to hear all his stories of past adventures and get to see some of the places he's loved. It was his first time staying in the hotel zone. I think we both agreed that if/when we go back sometime we'd rather be in one of the smaller communities (such as Akumal or Tulum) vs. the hotel zone but this worked out just fine for this trip. 

Just a little bit of screen-time in the morning. 

New Year's Eve fireworks from the beach. 

We spent one day sitting on the beach at our hotel and played in the water like kids. 

We spent one day sitting by the pool. 

I started a new daily yoga practice (again, "giving" myself permission to take care of myself). I downloaded an app called Yoga Studio that has a really great collection of classes for beginners, intermediates and advanced. What I really like about it is that it has options for 10 mins, 15 mins, 30 mins and 60 mins. My goal is really just to do something - even if it's the 15 minute one in the morning before I take the kids to school. I've had an all-or-nothing-mentality for way too long.  

Aaron taught me to play Canasta one night. He was the big winner of course. 

We watched the Oregon Duck football game (The Rose Bowl) from our room. 

On our last day we rented a car and drove to Akumal and Playa del Carmen so Aaron could show me some of his favorite places. 

I would love to go back and stay there for a few days. Great vibe. 

We ate lunch at this outdoor restaurant. Gotta love the sand on the ground and we sat in swings. Take me back. 

His and hers smoothies. 

The view from our swing. This was actually a busy place - I caught this shot in-between people sitting at these tables. The weather was just starting to get sunny again after being really overcast for the first half of the day. 

This guy. So much to say about him. Huge heart. Smarty pants. 

After our long lunch in Akumal we drove back towards Playa del Carmen (passed it on the way to Akumal earlier in the day) and parked and walked on the beach and checked out all the restaurants. 

For dinner we ended up in a restaurant on the beach. We had been hoping for a spot out on the sand, but took the next best option (in our opinion) behind the band. This cover band was rocking it and we ended up staying longer to watch them finish up their set. Love live music. 

On the way home we both read books on the plane. I'm about half way through Wally Lamb's We Are Water. 

Going was really, really good. I came home with a clear head, clear intentions and a renewed mental balance (which I definitely needed) about what's most important. That's really the gift I was hoping to give/find for myself during this getaway. 

I got clear again in the ways I want to inhabit my life. I want to be awake and alive and purposeful and let go of some of the negativity I've been holding on to this past year. It's an ongoing, likely life-long process and I'm okay with that. 

I'm excited to see what this year brings and looking forward to sharing the journey with you here as well as in my projects and workshops. 

One Little Word® 2015 | The Reading Of The Words

I want to take a minute to thank everyone who added their word to the comments in my last One Little Word® post. I read through every single one and I love reading about your own personal reasons why. 

I invited Liz Lamoreux to read the word list again this year for your listening enjoyment. Here you go: 

Click to listen to Liz read the words.

There is absolutely still time to join the One Little Word® workshop if you are interested in making your word visible this year and sharing the journey with others. 

Here's the list of words shared from this post: 

Abundance

Accept

Acceptance

Accomplish

Achieve

Action

Active

Adventure

Aim

Align

Alive

Anew

Assurance

Attain

Attitude

Authentic

Awake

Aware

BAD@$$

Balance

Base

Be

Becoming

Begin

Believe

Best

Better

Bloom

Blossom

Brace

Brave

Breakthrough

Breathe

Brilliant

Build

Calm

Can

Capture

Care

Celebrate

Challenge

Change

Charisma

Charity

Choice

Choices

Choose

Clarity

Cleanse

Commit

Committed

Complete

Connect

Connection

Connections

Consistent

Content

Conviction

Core

Courage

Craft

Create

Create

Crystallize

Cultivate

Dare

Dare

Decide

Deliberate

Deliberateness

Delight

Determined

Discipline

Disciplined

Discover

Do

Dream

Effective

Embrace

Emerge

Empower

Encourage

Endurance

Engage

Enough

Envision

Evolve

Exercise

Expand

Experience

Explore

Face

Family

Fearless

Fierce

Finish

Fit

Flourish

Flow

Flow/Fluir

Fly

Focus

Força (Portuguese for strength)

Fortaleza (Spanish for strength)

Forward

Free

Free up

Freedom

Fresh

Fulfillment

Full

Generosity

Geography

Give

Glow

Grace

Grateful

Gratitude

Grow

Gumption

Happy

Harmony

Haven

Heal

Health

Healthy

Heart

Hello

Home

Honor

Hope

Humility

Hygge

Immerse

Important

Improve

In

Incandescent

Initiative/Yozma

Inside-out

Intention

Intentional

Journey

Joy

Kind

Kindness

Leap

Learn

Less

Let it go

Light

Lighten up

Listen

Live

Live, Laugh, Love

Love

Magic

Make

Metonia

Mindful

Mindfulness

Moment

Motivate

Move

Navigate

New

Nonchalant

Notice

Nourish

Now

Nurture

Open

Optimism

Outlook

Over

Pace

Path

Peace

Peace within

Perseverance

Persevere

Perspective

Play

Pleasure

Positive

Possible

Praise

Prayer warrior

Presence

Present

Proactive

Progress

Project-50

Purposeful

Pursue

Push

Push

Quality

Radiant

Raum (German for room or space)

Real

Reconnect

Rediscover

Reduce

Reflect

Rejuvenate

Release

Renew

Replenish

Responsible

Rest

Reveal

Rhythm

Ribbistrate

Sacred

Savor

See

Seek

Self

Self-discipline

Serenity

Shake

Shalom

Shift

Shine

Simple

Simplicity

Simplify

Simplistic

Space

Spark

Sparkle

Start

Steadfast

Steady

Still

Story

Strength

Stretch

Strive

Strong

Surrender

Thankful

Thrive

Time

Today

Tree

Trust

Try

Unfold

Valor

Value

Victory

Voice

Walk

Watch

Whole

Wholehearted

Will

Work

Worth

Worthy

Yield

If your word doesn't appear above and you'd like it added I'm happy to edit the list. 

My Plans For Memory Keeping In 2015

I've been thinking a lot over the last few months about how I want to approach my memory keeping in 2015. 

I'm ready for a bit of an adjustment. I want something more loose and less structured (as in less emphasis on weekly) and from what I've been reading around the web that seems to be a bit of a trend. 

I'm ready for one album for my stories this year. 

One 12x12 album to hold pocket pages, traditional pages, and stuff of life (kids artwork, notes, etc). I don't literally mean that I'll force everything into ONE album because I might fill up one and need another, but I mean one home for all my stories this year. 

This one home will be a mix of pocket pages and traditional layouts in 12x12 and 8.5x11 and 6x8 and it will hold stories from 2015. Supplies will come from my Story and Stamp Kits™, from Studio Calico kits, and from other things I find here in my stash or from Scrapbook.com. 

This isn't new or revolutionary. People have been combining layouts and Project Life® style documentation since it's inception and I've been using divided page protectors mixed in with my traditional pages from time to time for many years. 

I think really what I'm ready for is something more organic and less structured and more focused on stories. I still love everyday life documentation - which has been my passion since I first started this adventure back in 2002. I still love capturing little and big things and I'm definitely not stopping any of it. But it's time for me to mix it up. 

This means I will not be committing to weekly Project Life® documentation in 2015. I'm up to date until June of 2014 and I plan to finish that as time permits (lots of photos already printed and "stuff" in pockets, but it needs some TLC). I anticipate that I will still do some specific weeks-at-a-glance like I've been doing the last few years, but it will be significantly looser than in the past (and include more of a mix of divided pockets when I do use them vs. always using Design A). I'm ready for that change. Just writing that out feels good. Does it mean I will never do weekly Project Life® again? Nope. My first Project Life® album was in 2010 and I've loved the process but I'm ready for the next evolution. 

And if none of this makes any sense, know that it's a work in progress and I'll be figuring it out as a go.  

Here's a look at how I'm starting my 2015 story album: 

The album begins with a divided 6x8 page protector from Becky Higgins (this is inside a black 12x12 We Are Memory Keepers album). 

"Hello Life 2015" is a new digital set now available in my shop. I cut it out with my Silhouette and vellum. I've got a tutorial here that shows you how to trace PNG files with the Silhouette software here.

The big ampersand was from a previous Studio Calico kit (can't remember which one). I embossed it with black opaque embossing powder on both sides.  

Along the edge of the page protector I added a 2-inch Avery index tab and stamped 2015 using this awesome Pebbles rolling stamp.

On the back side I added my favorite 2014 photo of the three of us. I'm just about done over-using it (taken during Week In The Life™ and used as my Christmas card). Note to self to take more group shots of the three of us. 

I like it so I'm going to use it. Again. 

The next pages is a 12x12 page protector from this variety pack that I cut to 6x12. 

"Give" in vellum was a left-over mistake from the end of my December Daily® album (the thread came out of the stitching). I decided to give it a home here as a nod to my One Little Word® for 2015 (I do have a separate album for documenting my experience with my word but I like having it included here as well). The "hello" label on top is actually on the outside of the page protector. 

The monthly paper and the floral 3x4 card are from the Park Avenue Studio Calico kits.  

The gold glitter remember card and the canvas 3x4 card are both from Heidi Swapp Project Life® kits (available via Michael's if I remember correctly). This was a 4x6 card that I cut down to 3x4.  

The letter stickers for "our" and the small word stickers are from my Firsts Story Kit™. 

It's a very simple beginning to what I hope will be an awesome mixture of long and short stories from 2015.

Here's to stories and documentation and flexibility and evolution and giving myself permission to loosen up the way I'm documenting, holding, and sharing my stories.  

AE Digital Creative Team | Story Bubbles

Today I wanted to share with you some of the awesome layouts that members of my Digital Creative Team made using this set called Story Bubbles. Katie and I were super excited to see each of these come in - such creative uses of this digital product. 

Click on the Design Team Members name to go to their personal site for more details. 

Paige Taylor Evans | Paige used her Silhouette to cut out the bubbles (so cool). I love how she backed them with pattern paper.

Pam Baldwin | It's totally possible I will adopt this same design for one of my stories. Love the layout and love how she went big with the printed out bubble.

Pam Baldwin | A second one from Pam that tells a slighty diffferent story than the previous page. Also not how she used the word art without the bubble for "the best."

Stephanie Baxter | Great use of letter-writing as a storytelling tool by Stephanie. This is a fully digital page - I love how she varied the size of the bubbles above the journaling. 

Cristina C. | Love this colorful page from Cristina. I thought it was a cool choice to keep the story bubbles black an white. 

Hope you have an awesome first weekend in 2015. 

One Little Word® 2015 | What Students Have Learned And Last Chance To Join At The Reduced Workshop Rate

A big thanks to those of you who have shared your word on my most recent post - it's always so inspiring to read your words and your reasons why. I'll leave that open for a few more days as I compile your words to share in a new post next week. 

I wanted to give you a heads up that today (December 31) is the last day to join the One Little Word® 2015 workshop at the reduced rate of $26 (price will go up to $31 on January 1). 

At it's heart, One Little Word® is really what you make it. I re-iterate that every year in the January presentation in the classroom. I can share my journey, I can encourage you to take the next step, etc. but I can't come to your house and get you off the couch, change the thoughts in your head, or purge your closet. 

One Little Word® is about pinpointing one guiding principle and then walking with that word throughout the year. 

Last month I asked my One Little Word® 2014 Workshop Community via our closed Facebook Group what they have learned through the process of the workshop and of working towards making their words more visible in their lives this past year. Their responses were so awesome and heartfelt. I wanted to share them with you here as you contemplate joining the community this year: 

Nicole | I've learned to step back in the story and not just watch from the sidelines. And I've reconnected with how to find joy. All through action and reflection in relation to my word.

Heather | You learn to take time for yourself. That you are important and your journey is important. Even if you don't accomplish all the prompts. Even if you don't accomplish ANY of the prompts. You still learn about yourself and your journey and how your word relates to your world. OLW brings the word to mind so that you're thinking about it, you're thinking about you and your journey and we always need to take that time. We always seem to out ourselves last. OLW teaches us to spend some time on ourselves. I have grown through the process the last two years, even though I never seem to get past the March or April prompts. My word is always there, in front of me, and each year it evolves a little more.

Heather | I've learned to work on myself; improve myself. Have personal growth.

Sheri | I think you learn what you need from yourself. Whether it's from inside yourself or the world around you.

Natalie | Reflecction via different techniques, e.g., writing, art journalling, photography.

Bonnie | Living every day with a mantra (your word)... Refocusing you ideas and perspectives every month by working towards the goals you have set forth when you decided on your word. Expressing your mantra through words, reflection, photography, art, creativity. Making your word an active part of your life. This practice of choosing a word every year ( or letting the word choose you ) is empowering to me, fostering personal growth.

Dawn | At it's most basic, setting goals & intentions, monitoring them throughout the year, reflecting on the monthly, evaluating progress, making changes as needed, and year-end summary, all while linking everything to one specific word. But... oh so much more! Life-altering personal growth that is beyond measure.

Carol | This was my 4th year choosing a word and my first year taking this course. The course helped keep me focused on my goals, my intent, the purpose of my word in my life and made my word more successful than I'd ever experienced before. It's helped me reflect, journal, and go deep within to experience personal growth at a time when I really needed it.

Amanda | After taking the One Little Word class for three years, I have come to realize that learning alongside Ali and the rest of the community goes beyond documenting a word for the year. Instead, it links to something much bigger - to better understanding myself, my story, and my journey. It helps me look within and beyond myself, providing a means to continually reflect on where I am and where I want to go as I work toward goals in life and celebrate. Ali's monthly support has helped shape my perspective on life with an emphasis on - capturing what is real, celebrating what is real, thinking about implications, and recognizing that it is a work in progress. This class has complemented other aspects of my life and has been a perfect fit. I am so very grateful for the One Little Word journey. This is my 5th year of choosing a word, and I noticed a significant difference of the impact of my words once I started taking the class.

Laura | I have learned that life throws curves (our house blowing up) but having my word and your workshop and the Facebook family has kept me grounded through the worst experience of my life so far. I have learned introspection and patience and self forgiveness and that the focus I had on one little word can not only change a person but get them through some hard times. I am so glad you are doing the class again. My 2015 word is OPEN- open to change!

Wendy | This is my third year. OLW has been amazing. The monthly prompts provided the opportunity for self reflection and an outlet for creativity through some very difficult times. Ali your gentle persistent guidance to live the length and width of life has been so supportive and amazing. I recommend this project to every one I can.

Debra | How bring one specific word into your life can assist in focusing your intentions for the year and making those life changes. How to document goals, the importance of reflection and a variety of methods to document the process.

Diana | I learned to be kinder to myself and to be more empathetic to others...that we each have our own journey and to honor that. I also learned to breathe...which is really nice. I learned that I CAN accomplish things and make progress forward to the woman I want to be while still taking care of the woman I am. I also learned that it does not always go as planned and that it is ok. The last few months have been more challenging and nothing has gone as planned...nothing has felt right...I have felt completely off track and that is ok...I can breathe, focus on my word, and regroup. I love having a word of the year. My word is like my own personal lighthouse...it helps me find my way. This process is incredible Ali and I am so grateful to you for leading us on this journey... how open you are about your story is so inspiring and encouraging...thank you!! Looking forward to 2015!!

Thank you to those of you that shared your experiences with me. It meant a lot. 

Here's to 2015!

PS | A big thank you to Colleen Attara for making my word again for me this year. Check out her wonderful offerings here. 

One Little Word® 2015

My One Little Word® for 2015 is give. 

The process of choosing a word, or letting it choose me as is often the case, is always interesting. For me it often starts around October - words begin popping up here and there via reading or conversations or overhearing something on the radio. I tend to do a lot of listening and thinking and trying each one on for a minute or two or a couple days or longer. 

I know there is no perfect word, there's only choices and paths and possibilities. 

This year the word give showed up in October if I remember correctly. It came in more like a whisper - some years my words have been so loud as if they were making it so they couldn't be ignored. 

Give began with the idea of giving to others and the question of what is it that I currently give. I'm pretty sure it was sparked by my trip to Washington DC to attend the ONE Campaign's AYA Girls And Women's Summit. There was a shift in my thoughts and a vivid reminder that it's not just about me and my own stuff - it was such a powerful opportunity to reflect on my place in the larger world and become educated on some of the issues facing girls and women in Africa. 

Over the last few months since it first made itself known, my thoughts about the word give and what I want to focus on in 2015 has evolved which is something I always welcome as I choose a new word. Give, for me, is so much more than the process of "handing something over."

Give love. Give kindness. Give time. Give patience. Give to others. Give to myself. 

On a certain level, the word give for me is rooted in connection and openness and awareness and willingness. What do the people around me need? How can I connect with them through the process of giving of myself? Over the last year I've lost some of myself in work and the transitions and I want more than anything to reconnect to the things/people/places I most value. 

Another level/definition of the word give is the idea of bending and being flexible. It's a nod to living in the gray areas and working on lessening my constant grip on the black and whiteness of things. My ability to be black and white is at the same time very much a strength in some areas and a weakness in others. Discerning the difference between when to give and when to hold firm is something I'd like to explore this year. 

The third level of give for me is in giving to myself. Giving time to myself. Giving patience to myself. Giving kindness to myself. Giving love to myself. I like the combination of the connection with others and the connection with myself. It's an opportunity to fine tune and get clear and make choices that align with what I care about most. 

I'm also interested in exploring give up, give away, and give in - all three of which I see as positive steps/ideas vs. the negative way they could be taken. 

I'm looking forward to experiencing a new journey with a new word in 2015.  

PS | That awesome little whole heart pocket talisman is from my dear friend Liz Lameroux's shop Soul Mantras. Check out all her lovely offerings here. 

PSS | Listen to  Elise Cripe  and I chat about One Little Word® on her latest podcast episode  here . 

SHARE YOUR WORD THE COMMENTS 

I’d love to read what word you’ve chosen or are considering for 2015. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word. Next week I’ll combine all the words into a single post – it's become tradition and super inspiring to see all the words in one place.

If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word®, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

JOIN ME

To help keep your One Little Word® more visible throughout the year I offer a year-long workshop featuring one creative prompt per month. Read all the details and sign up here. Registration is $5 off until December 31.