This year I am participating in Ali Edwards' One Little Word year-long workshop. For those of you who are not familiar with the concept, you can read about it on Ali's website here. It's the second time I am taking this class. The first was in 2013. My word then was "plan." I was very dedicated to the class and connected to my word from January through June, but then my "plan" of completing the class kinda went to hell and I didn't finish (I blame it on the Marine Corps and the unexpected move they had for us that summer). This brings me to my word for 2015: complete.
When it comes to finding the "right" word to bring into one's life, some people choose it themselves. But for others, like in my case, the word chooses them. I know it sounds strange and you're wondering, "How can a word choose you?," but toward the end of 2014 "complete" kept making an appearance in my day:
Complete one project before moving onto another.
Having a complete dental exam (first one in about two years).
Completing the task of sending Christmas cards to friends and family for the first time in 4 years.
Feeling completely content in our new home.
I felt like the word was trying to tell me something.
And although the dictionary first defines the word as adjective:
com·plete kəm’plēt/ adjective
1. having all parts or elements; lacking nothing; whole; entire; full:
"a complete set of Mark Twain's writings."2. finished; ended; concluded:
"a complete orbit."3. having all the required or customary characteristics, skills, or the
like;consummate; perfect in kind or quality:
"a complete scholar"
4. thorough; entire; total; undivided, uncompromised, or unmodified:
"a complete victory; a complete mess."
It is also defined as a verb when used with an object:
verb (used with object), completed, completing.
1. to make whole or entire:
"I need three more words to complete the puzzle."2. to make perfect:
"His parting look of impotent rage completed my revenge."3. to bring to an end; finish:
"Has he completed his new novel yet?"4. Football. to execute (a forward pass) successfully:
"He completed 17 passes in 33 attempts."
As a verb the word is like a call to action for me. I feel as though it is telling me to take 2015 by the horns and own it:
Complete those various lists of things to do.
Complete those unfinished projects.
I got the dental exam, now it's time for a complete physical exam.
Maybe when I start to complete these things, I will feel complete.
I'll be documenting this relationship with my word in the same manner Ali is with hers. I don't want to focus on elaborately designed pages, but rather the word itself. I'm using an 8.5x11 binder with solid and divided page protectors. My pages are below:
I'm starting of this album with the page you see above. I really liked this quote have been repeating it to myself over the past to days.
The first page is this blog post printed out. It's the same thing that Ali did in her album. Why re-invent the wheel?
The left side of this next spread details my intentions with my word this year. I will probably come back and revisit this page. I trimmed down the page protector on the right side and filled the pockets with the printed cards outlining the definition of my word, what I am inviting into my life this year in order to connect with my word and the quote from the earlier page. The black filler card is from the Project Life Midnight Edition Core Kit. The pocket in the middle has the word "dreamer" stamped on a piece of acetate inside.
And finally the left side of the spread has a few more filler cards stating what I am letting go of this year and the reason why I chose my word. The cards are again from the Project Life Midnight Edition Core Kit. The pieces of wood veneer are from Studio Calico. The right hand side of the spread are some other prompts including how my owrd is already making an appearance in my life, what I fear most in 2015, what I want more/less of this year and what I am most excited about this year.
You may not be able to read all of the details on my pages. I will be sharing them a bit more intimately throughout the year. For now I just wanted to tell you about my word and how it came to choose me. You can expect to see updates on my OLW once a month.
If you had a word to live by in 2015, what would it be?