Dreaming & Scheming 2012, Part 2: One Little Word

Fire in the House by tranchris / Typography added by me

Yesterday, I talked about reflection and building a foundation for 2012, including a look at my One Little Word for 2011, "Cultivate." Today, with butterflies in my stomach, I declare my One Little Word for 2012: Ignite.

This is not a characteristic choice for me. It feels big, bold and kind of scary. Pretty much the opposite of my airy-fairy, head-in-the-clouds modus operandi. But--like a moth to a flame {HA!}--something is pulling me towards it, especially after picking a fairly inward-focused, gentle word last year.

The definition is beautiful: "To make luminous by light. To arouse passions of; excite. To begin to glow."

Three things led me to select "Ignite" as my word for the year. The first is quite embarrassing {pinky-swear you won't laugh at me}-- I was driving in my car last year and Katy Perry's "Firework" came on the radio. Now, I don't even like Katy Perry, but I found myself listening to the lyrics. "Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin / Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?" and "Do you know that there's still a chance for you / 'Cause there's a spark in you? / You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine." ... And then I cried. To a flippin' Katy Perry song. For shame. But it resonated with me at a time when I was feeling deflated and adrift, and gave me the idea to use "ignite" or "spark" as my word for 2012. {But I'll skip out on the fireworks shooting from my boobies, thanks.}

The second instance came during Stratejoy's Create Your Magical Year while listening to the first recorded call. Molly mentions how challenges and bad things happen to every one of us, but if we don't allow ourselves to feel the full range of emotions in life (good and bad), we might end up dulling down our brightness as a way to protect ourselves from future (i.e., imagined) hurt, pain and disappointment. My own struggles with fear and self-consciousness have stemmed from past situations, and I know I'm guilty of dulling my own light because of them. "Ignite" seems like the right word choice as I hope to reconnect with my authentic self and live more vibrantly.

The third reason I selected this word has to do with this being my final year of my twenties. I'm about to turn 29 in just a few weeks, and with one year left of my twenties, I want to make the most of it. I think this is less about checking items off a list-- achieving ____ or traveling to ____ or making ____ amount of money. It's more of a general fire in my belly to embrace my values and passions with open arms. To give myself to a cause I care about. To lose myself for hours in the midst of creative projects. To connect with like-minded people who amaze me with their brilliant passions and stories. To push my boundaries and see what I'm capable of.

It sounds like a lot to live up to, and honestly, scares me a little. But I think that a word like this is just what I need at this time in my life, and I'm excited to see what lights up!


Do you have a One Little Word or theme for the year? I'd love to hear your word!