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I’m excited about my one little word for 2011. It’s the word I’ll focus on…learn more about…it’s the word I’ll rediscover.
I suppose you can tell what it is!
For so many of you this word is a no-brainer.
You’re positive and upbeat and believing comes natural for you. I love people like that. But I’m not one of them. I’m suspicious at heart. Leary. Uncertain. About almost everything. But lately I’m feeling a pull.
And the pull is in the general direction of belief.
I’m not talking about believing in a particular thing. I’m talking about a shift in perspective.
Less wrinkled brow.
Less suspicious eyes.
Less protecting my heart.
More vulnerability.
After all, you can’t believe without lifting the protective walls.
Right now this word is all sparkly and magical to me.
But I know it’ll look different in the months ahead. Because as magical as believing can be it can also be really hard at times.
This should be interesting my friends…
*****
And about my one little word for 2010…Friendship…
I’ve been choosing a “theme” for the year for nearly 15 years.(My dear friend Beth introduced me to the concept of asking God for a theme for the year ahead) A couple of years ago after reading Ali Edwards idea of One Little Word, I pared it down to asking God to help me find a “word” for the year. A word that I could learn more about. A word for me to focus on throughout the year.
Every year I’m surprised when I learn things about my “theme” or my “one little word” that I never dreamed. (Like in 2009 when my word was “JOY” I learned that many times there has to be trust before joy comes. And trust isn’t nearly as much fun as joy!)
But never …ever…have I been more surprised than last year. My One Little Word was friendship. I wrote about choosing the word last January HERE. And HERE are the posts I wrote throughout the year…
I have experienced so much love and support from my online friends this year, friends I’ve met through the blog and dear friends I’ve reconnected with through facebook.
But I also lost a friendship last year. I won’t go into details but I’m not a person with many face to face friends that I see regularly and this loss was enormous.
As the year came to a close I kept talking to The Husband trying to figure what in the world I was supposed to learn from my one little word. And now, honestly I feel like the year ended before the story ended. I’ve no bottom-line. No neat tidy bow is tying up the 2010 one little word. It looks more like this:
friendship?
Here’s what I do know…I have so many wonderful online friendships. These are not like face to face friendships but let me tell you …they matter. And I’m thankful for them.
I have my sister and my friend life long friend Julie who I talk to every week. They don’t live close so I don’t see them often, but we’re there for each other.
My daughters are my best girlfriends.
I’m content with this. And who knows maybe the story on this one little word isn’t over…
*****
Choosing One Little Word for the year is a creative as well as a spiritual ritual for me.
Do you choose One Little Word? If so tell me about your process and I’d love to hear about your lessons form 2010. And please, if you have one, what’s your one little word for 2011?
*****
Want to know how other people choose their one little word?
HERE is Ali Edwards original post about it.(the super creative woman who coined the One-Little-Word) And HERE are more recent postings on her process.
HERE is a post by a dear blog-friend of mine, Kim Klassen. Kim talks about her process in choosing her one little word.
*****
Tomorrow I’ll look back at some of my 2010 Favorites…my favorite project, recipe, photo…if you have a 2010 Best-Of or Favorite, how about linking HERE or come back tomorrow and leave a link in the comments tomorrow, I’d so love to see!
~love to you~
Debbie says
December 30, 2010 at 7:50 amRobyn,
This is such a wonderful post! And what a fantastic idea! I am going to think about what my ” One Little Word” will be……
Love this idea!
When I decide and do a post about it, may I link back to this post so others can read your wonderful post???
Also will you be continuing your weekly Wed. party since the Holidays are over?
I so enjoyed joining you weekly for this holiday season and would love to continue….
Wishing you and yours a Happy Healthy New Year!!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Jenny says
December 30, 2010 at 8:21 amI haven’t chosen one word… but am closing in on choosing some concepts for the year. I’m not too good with making resolutions, but I like the idea of choosing a theme or perhaps a word and using that as a guidepost for the coming year. Somehow that just feels more like my style.
I wish you all the best in the new year!
Julie Garmon says
December 30, 2010 at 8:58 amOf course I love this post, this “one little word” idea. Each year when you share your word, I’m tempted to choose one. Then I talk myself out of it….you don’t have a word–stop trying to give yourself a word–there isn’t a specific word for you.
This year, I’m going to claim a word!
It’s courage.
Thank you.
Robin says
December 30, 2010 at 7:33 pmI love it J…Courage…it’s right for you at this time. xo
Jane says
December 30, 2010 at 9:11 amI loved this idea of a word theme last year when you chose yours and have pondered “friendship” along with you. But I have been craving MY word. So thanks for the jump start for this year! I know its out there! Can’t wait to hear it calling me!
Robin says
December 30, 2010 at 7:34 pmJane…please tell me when your word finds you!!!! xo
Suzanne says
December 30, 2010 at 9:16 amIt’s been a pleasure being your “friend” this year Robin – I loved hearing your heart and I’ve learned a few things about myself along the way. May 2011 give you many reasons to for choosing to believe in the coming year!
Robin says
December 30, 2010 at 7:34 pmSuzanne…it’s an honor to be your friend too. love to you
Jean Fischer says
December 30, 2010 at 9:41 amI found your blog last year when you chose the word “friendship” for your 2010 word. That led us into a special online friendship. Just yesterday, I was telling a face-to-face friend about my online friend Robin and how much your friendship has meant to me this year.
I can’t wait to walk with you as you search for the meaning of “believe.” I struggle with that word, too. Like you, I put a wall of protection around me, preferring absolutes and certainties to the unknown.
Happy new year, my dear friend!
Jean
Robin says
December 30, 2010 at 7:36 pmJean…thank you for your words. You are so far away and yet such a part of my life, so often I find myself thinking of you and your writing and your beautiful life. I’m so happy to know you.
xo
1 Funky Woman says
December 30, 2010 at 9:50 amWhat a great idea! I lost a friend too but for me it was good we ended things. I feel much stronger and happier and I think she is too! Having a love hate friendship isn’t good for anyone. I need to think of my word for the new year, not much time left, I better get crackin!
Megan
Robin says
December 30, 2010 at 7:38 pmMegan…pls tell me when you find your word!
My ended friendship was also a good thing…but I do grieve for the closeness we once had…
don’t forget to let me know you word!
Ann says
December 30, 2010 at 3:04 pmThank you for your words of ‘wisdom’. I am looking forward to the new word, but because I still need work on ‘friendship’, I’m going to continue to keep that one close to my heart. I lost 2 friends a few years ago, it was a packaged deal I suppose, but without going into details…it has made me guarded.
It has been a blessing to find friendships online. I thank you for that.
I wish I was a bit more computer savy to link up and contribute recipes, ideas, etc. Perhaps someday- I must believe!
Warmest wishes and a Happy 2011! Ann Garvin
Robin says
December 30, 2010 at 7:40 pmAnn, I’m sorry for your loss. But girl I’m so glad to call you my friend.
love to you
xo
Debbie says
December 30, 2010 at 3:07 pmRobyn,
me again! I chose my word….HAPPY! and I linked my post about it up to Merry and Brite Wednesday!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Robin says
December 30, 2010 at 7:41 pmDebbie!
I love it! I can’t wait to see all you learn in 2011!
love to you
Julie Garmon says
December 30, 2010 at 5:06 pmJust read MaBWA your blog. She loves it!! She said Macy’s (as in the store) word this year was “Believe.” I aked what her word is going to be.
She said, “Well, I know what I wish it would be.”
“What?”
“Organization, but it’s not. It’s RELAX.”
Pinky says
December 30, 2010 at 5:52 pmI am still trying to decide on a word. I do know I want to try to be REAL,….more real. Honest, not stuffing my feelings. Maybe it should be “authentic”????? I am still trying to work on the word. Now I want to tell you that I treasure our friendship even if it is only online. YOu ahve taught me many life lessons and been a big inspiration to me too. I currently am struggling, spiritually, so I truly enjoy following your journey and am inspired by your HONESTY!!!!!!!!!! So, thank you, Robin. XOXO, Pinky
Pamela says
December 30, 2010 at 7:00 pmI was unaware anyone else did the word for the year. It has been such a blessing to me. I’m still deciding on the word for 2011. I like your “believe” word. Wisdom with a lean towards the Proverbs is a possibility.
tom says
December 30, 2010 at 10:20 pmI think I will go with “shocked” since I didn’t make your friends list! Ha, just teasing! I am still trying to celebrate in advance so maybe I will come up with a word I want to celebrate. Happy New Year my friend.
Suzanne says
December 30, 2010 at 10:20 pmbeautiful! You’ve inspired me to try to find my word. Thank you and God Bless you!
tom says
December 31, 2010 at 9:11 amGot it, praying in the dark in a tree stand this morning I was inspired to choose “faithful”. Of course my personality is such that if one word is good then two must be better. Ha! My secondary word is “energy”. So hopefully I will be faithful with lot’s of energy and fulfill my celebration letter with many God victories in 2011. Thanks Robin for the inspiration!
Rose Brier Studio says
December 31, 2010 at 9:16 pmRobin,
I love the idea of having a word for the year. This is the first time I’ve visited your blog, so I didn’t know about One Little Word. I’ve been thinking of this upcoming year for the last 6 months. It’s been so interesting to distill my plans into a single concept. And for me, 2011 is to be a year of celebration. So my one little word is “celebrate.” It is amazing the variety of things that “celebrate” encompasses and I’m really excited to see how the year unfolds with this as my focus!
Thank you ever so much for blogging about this!
Happy New Year,
~Marilee
laura quaglia says
December 31, 2010 at 9:34 pmDebbie linked me to you .I love the idea.Being just found this. I will give myself one more day,I want this year to be more about myself, and looking forword to my life,and be more thrifty.amd get away from stuff.I will be back Laura Q
Jennifer says
January 1, 2011 at 6:17 pmThanks for posting this. I have thought about doing this for a few years and this year my friend sent me a cute pink book to write in. I was going to do it as a blessing book but I thought this would be perfect to go with my word. I have thought of a few words but I keep going back to trust. Last year I lost some friends and some I feel it was time to move on from. The more I think about it Trust is the perfect word for me for 2011. Can’t wait to start this project and if you have any tips on how to do this all year please share. I am going to trust myself and start a blog soon. Thanks for all you do
Jen
alece says
January 5, 2011 at 1:07 am“believe” is such a powerful word. it’s intentional. deliberate. active trust. i’d imagine this one little word is going to change a lot in your life. a lot in you.
here’s to a year of believing! and embracing all that God does through that…