My ‘One Little Word’ for 2014

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)

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While doing a little blog hopping yesterday I stumbled across this idea called One Little Word.  I love the idea of calling a word your own for a year, a word that will be your mantra, the word that you will apply to your life for a year.

While LOVING the idea… picking the word was a bit more difficult than I had anticipated.  After all… I have to live with it.  I tossed around the idea of “motivated”, and “Thrive” …. and then finally after looking at the list and the definition of the words that didn’t quite fit, it came to me before I seen it…

Embrace.

1em·brace

verb \im-ˈbrās\

: to hold someone in your arms as a way of expressing love or friendship

: to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly

: to use (an opportunity) eagerly

I prefer the verb version as to the noun.  I am thinking more of this as accept (which was possibly going to be the word but I like embrace better.  

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And this is really what I mean:
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Embrace everything.  I like that.  There was a time when I used to say no thank you a lot.  A lot.  Friends would invite me to go do things, weekend trips, movies, etc, and I would almost always say, “no thank you”.  At the time I would use the excuse that I had to be home with the kids, or maybe I didn’t know some of the people going with and the introvert in me didn’t want it to be awkward…
It’s odd to think of that old me now.  I am quite the “Yes” girl and if I can say yes, I usually do.  I have come to terms that life is too short, too precious to live it on the sidelines watching others live it.  The word EMBRACE fits right in with that mind set.  I want to embrace new things, I want to challenge myself and them embrace the outcome.  I want to wholeheartedly embrace LIFE.
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So there it is.  I think I am going to find myself a little something at an Etsy shop, or make it myself that says embrace.  I love the idea of owning a word for a year.  I will embrace the challenges, the goals, my job, my family, my friends, the good and the bad….
Are you ready?  What’s your word?  If you decide to do this, please go to the original site and say so, but also… I would love it if you would leave your word here with me too 🙂
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62 thoughts on “My ‘One Little Word’ for 2014”

  1. I think that is wonderful…and interestingly enough I have done the same thing…”embraced” a word for the year…I even mentioned this in a Post of my own…lol…my word is Positive…I sure will try…I love your word:)

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  2. Hmm…intriguing concept. I might just check out that site.

    I like the word “embrace,” and all that it can mean. My second published book is called “Embrace the Whirlwind,” about a tempestuous young woman whirling from one bad choice to another…until she finally stops.

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  3. Your word is interesting…it’s very srptrange to think of you saying no to things…you really do seem like such a “yes” girl…I am always amazed at the myriad of activities you are engaged in! You seem to be always ready to dive in!

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  6. Love this idea! I have printed off the words and will be bringing them to my TOPS group to pick words of their own. My word is CHALLENGE. Challenge who I thought I was, Challenge who I am, Challenge myself to be better every day.

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    1. Great idea Angie – I was thinking of using it too for a work retreat we have coming up… I love a word to embrace (oop there it is! :razz:) for the year – one I can fall back on when making decisions.I am looking into making necklaces or bracelets witht he words and a metal stamping kit.

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  7. That’s great! I saw something about this blog-hopping yesterday and really should explore more. I didn’t have enough blogging time yesterday.

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  10. Gosh, this is such a nice idea and I love your word. If I had time to do this properly I think the word I’d pick would be something that encompassed the ideas of renewal and repair. 🙂

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  11. My word for the year is PATIENCE – something I need more of in my writing adventures and expectations. I’m glad to have stumbled upon your blog (from seeing a Facebook post you made on Joey H’s timeline.)

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  12. Mine is going to be light. We had a most excellent homily today. In it, Father Bob told a story of a rabbi answering the question of how a shepherd is supposed to know when it is light enough to know when night has turned to day. The shepherd asked, “Is it when you can tell a sheep from a dog?” No. Another asked whether it was when you can tell a fig tree from a grape vine. No. When there is enough light in your own eyes to see that the face of the person (all people) you are standing next to is your brother or sister that is how you know that the darkness has left. (In case I missed something in the retelling, it was a homily about loving thy neighbor.) So, LIGHT is my word this year.

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  13. Thanks for putting this on my radar. I had started this idea on my blog this year, and had no idea that it was already a movement. My One Little Word is BECOMING! What does that mean exactly? Well, I’m looking for methodologies/teachings that I can incorporate in my life to become the best parent, teacher, blogger, etc. that I can be–in other words, I’m looking for new concepts/ideas to improve in each of the roles I have taken on in my life.

    Cynthia@ The Things You Can Read
    http://thethingsyoucanread.blogspot.com

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  14. Dear Sheila,
    As I read your blog I have always felt that you were be a great friend to have- because book interests, sons , etc in the commonality dept. Again today I was like WOW! because I had prayed throughout the night to find my one WORD and I had never heard this idea until yesterday but I think its an awesome way to move forward. I am still searching for my word but when it comes to me I will share. I check your blog regularly and enjoy what you share. Thank you for all your hard work on behalf and for the reading community!! Happy New Year!! KK- Charlotte, NC

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  17. I really like this idea. I don’t know if I’ll do anything with it formally but I looked through the list and “Emerge” is the word that spoke to me. I need to get out of my shell more often. I’ve been slowly getting better over the years but I think this is the year to really push myself out there. Say yes to the invites, speak up for myself and speak my mind (tactfully of course). Maybe “embrace” will come later. 🙂

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  20. Containerize ! Not a fun word but a unique one and I will be happier once I do this both physically and virtually.I need to get more organized in my life. Dale thought he made that word up but then we found out it is a real word and he wants to get more organized too. I’ve put off for too long some of the things that need organizing.

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  21. You know, I read this post this morning (before my day went a bit haywire), and I just loved it. I think “embrace” is a great word and I love the whole “One Little Word” concept, too 😀 I already know I stick to few things and forget most things so I can’t commit, but started thinking of which words I might like. “Faith,” but I already have it; “Grateful,” but I already live gratefully; “Persevere,” but I’ve been doing that for years, too. I KNOW what I want to do so then thought of “Focus,” but it wasn’t quite enough. That’s when I thought of “Accomplish.” That’s the word that encompasses it all for me, I think. I need to accomplish the things I’ve been desperately trying to for so long. There’s always something that interferes with the many things I need to accomplish. I hope I can finally do it.

    I then popped over to the site that does this and saw there’s already a list of a LOT of words! “Accomplish” was one of them. In fact, I think I’m going to save that list ’cause I think it would be handy to have for all kinds of reasons 🙂 They haven’t started anything for 2014, though. At least not through that link. It was for 2013.

    I’m not committing to anything, but DO like the idea of owning a word 😀 Thanks, Sheila! And good luck to everyone in achieving whatever it is you want to achieve. There are some great words posted in these comments! 😀

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    1. I love your word! I think the beauty of the word is that it is like a resolution – but not 🙂 It is what you make of it – what level you take it too. This morning when I got up in record low temps and needing to get tot he library to take down decorations I decided just to embrace it – and I did and had a good time 🙂

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      1. Yep! Embracing is all about acceptance of the cards dealt and appreciation for the moment 🙂 And I’m really not into actual resolutions which is probably why I like the “One Word” concept. I think it’s something that—IF able to absorb its meaning when seeing it or thinking of it—can be a true motivator 🙂 I’m going to see where I can post it or place it in my life to hopefully have an effect on me! 😀

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  24. Great word! I did this last year with “Craft” and then…kind of forgot about it. I like your idea of getting something from Etsy or making something yourself to keep it in mind.

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  26. My word for 2014 is Focus. Something that I seem to be lacking in my life and hopefully I can get back on track.

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