A single word can be powerfully motivating as you go throughout your day, perhaps weeks, months and even a year. Ali Edwards came up with this idea of “One Little Word.” She states, a word can be, “the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.”
Several years ago, Ali began a tradition of choosing one word for herself at the start of each year – a word to focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as she went about her daily life. She says, “they’ve been imbedded into who I am and into who I’m becoming. They’ve been what I’ve needed most (and didn’t know I needed). They’ve helped me to breathe deeper, to see clearer, to navigate challenges, and to grow.”
For the past couple years, I have done the same sort of thing through the YouVersion Bible Plan, “One Word that will change your life” and let me tell you, it does just that. Choosing a word to stick with for a whole year is not an easy task. It took a lot of thought process, questioning and most definitely, prayer. My word last year was “trust” and this year, it is “jump.” There are big things that will happen for 2015. Graduation, career, and whatever other fun surprises we come up with. Therefore, I need to lose the fear, insecurity, uncomfortable-ness and just JUMP.
Enough about me. My awesome Aunt Ti approached me about doing a design to hang on her walls that had to do with her one little word for the year – cultivate. Of course I agreed and was stoked because she’s always so encouraging and let’s me spread my creative wings and fly. She likes everything I do. Or so she says. So, that makes me feel good. I really love having her as a client (as I do with all my clients). 🙂
So why, “cultivate,” what exactly does that mean? She gracefully explained, “when I chose cultivate for my one little word it was because the people I surround myself with are what help me thrive. I felt that I was losing or not cultivating relationships that fulfilled me. Some toxic “friends” and deaths put this into a better perspective for me. My relationship with God, my husband, and those friends who invest in me are my priority. And when I say cultivate I don’t mean through Facebook and texting. I want to have face to face time, conversation about life, faith, love and experiences whether they are mundane or memorable.”
I wanted to share this desktop background with you, not only because it’s peacefully cute with its ombre yellows, but because I hope it inspires you and moves you to generate thoughts on what one word you will discover and carry with you throughout the rest of the year. It’s never too late to start.
Don’t forget to share it with me!
xo-ash
Downloaded! You are crazy talented and I love that you use your talents to inspire others. You. Rock.
Thanks for sharing!!
Awesome! You are sweet, thank you so much!!
I LOVE everything you do because it comes from you!! Thanks for your sweet words. You’re one little word is perfect!
🙂 Thank you, love you!
My word last year was believe which emanated from finding a small golden bell that made no sound. My mind immediately went to The Polar Express movie when the little boy couldn’t hear the bell because he didn’t really believe. As cheesy as that sounds it struck a chord in my heart. Maybe the reason for some of my struggles was that I simply didn’t really believe God would hear me or even that the things I felt were important, mattered. Scripture tells me in Matthew 22:22 that
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Understanding that doesn’t mean God is like a genie in a bottle but that if I’m not believing in Him to do what’s in my best interest when I pray – Im not being faithful. And so often I was reminded through the year that what I needed to do WAS Believe. I’m so glad you brought this concept of Word for the Year to my attention!! This year I was hoping for a word that was more "exciting" and "flashy" or made some kind of bold statement… That’s not what I was given. My word for 2015 is Trust. I did not
realize how bold that word would be until this year – barely a month in has required me to Trust as I’m being stretched in ways others wouldn’t understand. So I’m hanging on to it and believing that trusting God is exactly what my life needs.
Thank you for sharing your heart and thoughts in this blog.
jayme
That’s beautiful! I love when God reveals to us His plan for us that is far greater than we could’ve ever imagined. Even if it’s a small as deciding what our one word is for the year, He showcases His work and is glorified when we are obedient. Love it, Jayme! Thank you so much for sharing. I will be praying for you to continue to "Trust" throughout the year!