enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

one little word for 2014.

Whole

My word for 2013 served me so well.

I chose BRAVE for a long list of reasons, but mostly because I knew becoming a mother was going to be a challenge. I was naive to how great a challenge it would be. There were many times this past year when I struggled and while sometimes I felt like my word was mocking me, most of the time I felt like it was giving me strength. Oh BRAVE, I am so thrilled that we got through it.

Whole2

I have been serious about picking one little word as a guide and inspiration since 2011 and have lived with MAGIC, CHOOSE & BRAVE since then. Each year I am amazed at how such a simple exercise can help shape my attitude and my character. I know this is something that I will keep up forever and love that each year I get to add a new word to my collection.

I never go searching for the words, they tend to find me and this year, my word is WHOLE.

Whole4

I am sure it will change and twist and expand as 2014 moves forward, but right now it's about going all in on a few different business ventures. It's about being present in my role as a Mama and creating space between work and life. It's about valuing how my daily attitude affects my whole family. It's about wanting less and loving more. It's about aiming for complete & whole over flawless.

Whole5

Welcome to the family WHOLE. No doubt, MAGIC, CHOOSE & BRAVE are glad you're here.

ps. I'm sharing a bit more about what one little word means to be in a short video on Ali's blog today!

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32 responses to “one little word for 2014.”

  1. MichelleGB Avatar
    MichelleGB

    Love your word and enjoy watching you through the year as you document it. Thank you for the inspiration! Good luck in 2014!

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  2. Tiffany Avatar
    Tiffany

    I have kept up with you and your one little word since you began with magic, and it has convinced me to take the class this year. I think that I am at a point where I need to have a little more focus to help shape my attitude through some difficult things, and I’m really looking forward to it! I am looking forward to following along with your new word, too! :]

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  3. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    I’m so excited that you’re continuing with one little word in 2014 – you’ll inspire all of us! And I loved hearing you talk about your journey with each of the words on Ali’s blog this morning. I was so surprised to see that you chose “whole” for 2014 – I chose it as well (http://katietieman.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/one-little-word/) – and think it will be a powerful intention for the new year.

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  4. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    I think that’s a great word and fits you and your life very well right now. I tried OLW last year, and honestly, I didn’t have the time to devote or the mindset at the time (wedding planning, dad with cancer, buying a house, etc, etc) to make it what it should have been. I am disappointed but also relieved to know that I can set aside a project if it isn’t working for me.

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  5. Kayla Aimee Avatar
    Kayla Aimee

    I don’t typically do a one little word but I always love following yours. I might do it this year just because I love seeing your updates so much.

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  6. caitlinmfrost Avatar
    caitlinmfrost

    i chose “full” this year, although i never took the class and my word changes as the seasons change, but i’m looking forward to it this year! i’ll be posting about why i chose it tomorrow.
    i’m excited to see what this year holds for your little blog and shop!
    http://www.caitlinmfrost.wordpress.com

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  7. Kathi Avatar
    Kathi

    Elise I did a whole blog post today on just that… my word for the upcoming year… BE KIND! is the motto this upcoming year for our home of adult children and their mom and my honey (not their father). Kindness is overlooked and can make a world of difference in our situation I think! Wish us luck 🙂 I wish wholeness for you in 2014 and you will mesh with the mom in your and the single girl you left behind with the wife you love being! lol Kathi

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  8. amy t schubert Avatar
    amy t schubert

    Great word 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it comes into your life!

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  9. Sue // As It Seems Avatar
    Sue // As It Seems

    Whole is a great word for the year. Mine is intention. I’m so excited about it.

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  10. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    Elise, I have been following you for the last year or so and I love how you incorporated Brave into your every day. It really inspired me to try and take on a word this year as well. I am going to go with “Trust” for this year. I find that being two years out of college and newly married, I am going to need the word TRUST more than ever to help me believe that there is always a plan for me both personally and spiritually. I look forward to 2014 and wish you the best in your Whole journey.

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  11. caitlinmfrost Avatar
    caitlinmfrost

    i don’t really do the “one little word” like you, but this year i decided what i really wanted to feel at the end of 2014 was FULL. (my post goes up tomorrow.) so i have a feeling that’s going to be on the forefront of my mind.
    i can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store for your blog and shop!
    http://www.caitlinmfrost.wordpress.com

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  12. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    I’m going with patience for my word this year.

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  13. Sonja Avatar
    Sonja

    Whole is such a big word…I’ll enjoy your adventures with this word…
    “My heart is my compass” will be my words. They’ve found me while i was walking with my dog and I know, they are so good for me!

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  14. jessica o'brien | jessohbee Avatar
    jessica o’brien | jessohbee

    oooh, great word! mine have been core, stretch and now 2014 will be expand. i look forward to your posts on this topic.

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  15. Ashlee Avatar
    Ashlee

    Such a good choice. Love this post, and love this exercise!

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  16. Ashlee Avatar
    Ashlee

    This word is such a good one! ‘Whole’ is definitely on the list of favorite words and I hope that it guides you during this upcoming year! So happy to say that I’ve been reading your blog since you had ‘magic!’

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  17. Consie @ Atop Serenity Hill Avatar
    Consie @ Atop Serenity Hill

    Thanks for sharing this! I am going with “Have FAITH”! I love getting your blog posts! Super inspiring.

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  18. Adeline Avatar
    Adeline

    That’s a wonderful idea! I’ll definitely think of a word and try it out!
    xxx

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  19. Katie @ Live Half Full Avatar
    Katie @ Live Half Full

    I’m a new reader and I just went back and looked at your old posts- I love the monthly goals and I can’t wait to follow along in 2014!

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  20. creole wisdom Avatar
    creole wisdom

    Love it. I think that is a great choice. You’re OLW posts are always inspiring 🙂 I chose “listen” for this year and I’m excited and nervous at the same time to see how it affects me 🙂

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  21. Giulia Avatar
    Giulia

    I love this! You are such an inspiration, girl! Also, that video was so good, i don’t even understand how you can be so natural in front of the camera:)

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  22. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    I’ve been looking through your old minibooks – your “whole” minibook is one of my favorites. Seems like a word you gravitate to during big transitions. 🙂

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  23. Ginger_79 Avatar
    Ginger_79

    There, now you made me first consider it and then buy the class. We’ll see how it goes. The word that came to my mind immeadiately was “shine”. But who knows if I change it tomorrow.

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  24. Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists Avatar
    Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists

    I really love the idea of choosing a word and living by it. I remember reading your post last year about your word brave and thought what a wonderful idea!

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  25. Ang Avatar
    Ang

    Stretch! Love that!!

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  26. MK Avatar
    MK

    Liking that OLW! I also like when you post your intentions for the month (written on the photo). I hope that made the continue in 2014 list. It is my reminder to take a pic and do the same. Don’t know why it inspires me so, but it does.

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  27. Fanny Avatar
    Fanny

    Thanks Elise!
    I’ve been following your blog for a while and I really like it.
    I’ve been doing Ali’s one little word since 2009 (they year my twins were born) and I really love it. I’ve chosen the words GROWTH, EXPLORE, PLAY, HOME and STORY respectively. This year my word is TODAY.
    Happy New year to you!!

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  28. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine

    Elise,
    Thank you for sharing your one little word!
    For 2014, I have chosen a word that builds on 2013, a reminder to get out of bed early in the morning and capture a beautiful sunrise before it is gone, to open my mind at work and in the classroom and to push through the bad knowing I will emerge better for the wear. Not easy, but necessary.
    My one little word for 2014: Shine

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  29. Faith Mason Avatar
    Faith Mason

    Thank you for sharing! I have been so inspired by your use of the one little word over this past year I defiantly knew I would be choosing one for myself for 2014! I have chosen Advance for myself as this year I hope to see huge developments in my professional career. Looking forward to seeing how Whole see you through this year!

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  30. Holli Anne Avatar
    Holli Anne

    I love WHOLE! I chose Courage for 2014, very similar to your Brave last year because I’m also going to be a first-time mom this year. Courage just seems like it will come in handy!

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  31. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    This was a great choice for your OLW! It so fits your life right now it seems. I’ve done this concept the last few years too (since 2010 I think) and this year I’ve chosen “simplify.” I’m ready to surrender to it! You continue to be such an inspiration to me, especially during big transition times in my life! Keep it up! 🙂

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  32. Andrea Combs Avatar
    Andrea Combs

    I love your word! WHOLE is perfect 🙂 Thank you for sharing… I have been following your blog for a year now, and I love that you have a word each year that will serve to inspire and encourage you 🙂 Your “one little word” exercise has inspired me to choose a word for 2014 as well. My word is EMBRACE, and I am so excited to see how it helps me live out each moment to its fullest potential. I also want to let you know that you inspire me through your daily posts! 🙂 Keep being real! We appreciate it so much!

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