Monday, January 7, 2013

Hm-m, my OLW is a good one!

        Thanks go to  the Two Writing Teachers blog, to Ruth and Stacey for hosting Tuesday Slices of Life, a way for others to share parts of their lives, personal and professional. Come join in the fun!


      After reading everyone’s posts last week, I thought more and listened to others, not just noting their One Little Words, but the “why” of them.  The arc of my life is not the usual geometric half-circle, but more similar to a roller coaster, numerous ups and downs, and the downs are not necessarily bad, they can sometimes mean quiet and rest.  And the ups might be excitement and incredible experiences, or they might just mean hurry, much on the to do list.  So, I thought that I might choose the word “flexible”, yet I know that I am, I was, I will be.  That is a trait already ingrained, not a word to live by.  Finally, I pondered the beginnings, the new year, the new home and knew that my word for this year must be “possibilities”.  Think of it! 


      A stereotype is about endless possibilities.  The metaphor is often the open door.  I imagine something like Dorothy stepping into Oz.    The synonyms according to an online dictionary are:  capability, eventuality, potential, and prospect
      Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi said: Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning. 
       Emily Dickinson wrote: I dwell in possibility
       And Gloria Steinem said:  Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all is a form of planning.

      The definition I prefer and given by the online dictionary to be archaic is  one’s utmost power, capacity or ability.  I like challenges and this seems to be a challenge.  And so I’m off, to the races, to the store, to the library, to conferences, and to those always endless possibilities.

photo credit: Bud the Teacher via photopin cc

38 comments:

  1. Here's to a year of endless possibilities! Can't wait to see how those white notebook pages fill up!

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  2. Possibilities! It's a just right word and the quotes solidify that. Have a wonderful year full of possibilities!

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    1. Thanks, Margaret. 2013 should be a very good year.

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  3. Linda,

    When I think of you I always sence a soul that is curious, loving and always looking at the possibilities. I hope this year brings joy as well as learning. May it be a year when you look back as one of wonderful memories because you saw the possibilities.

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    1. Thanks, Ruth. I appreciate your wishes. Always lovely to hear from you.

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  4. What a great word to apply to this new chapter of life! I the surprises of life are full of possibilities. I look forward to reading more this year.

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    1. Thanks Elsie-It will be interesting for sure.

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  5. The idea of One Little Word is intriguing. How can it be that just one word can change the way people look at life or change how they live? It also puzzles me how people seem to find just the right word to guide them. In this blog community other people's little words are like flickering lights reminding to think of different aspects of my life. I look forward to reading how will you choose and use all the different possibilities.

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    1. I believe the allure may be that it helps the focus, Terje. It really doesn't have to be a word, it can be an essay or some particularly thoughtful book, just some one thing to do some guiding of one's thoughts. It seems rather like grounding. I like your idea of 'flickering lights'.

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  6. Love the use of quotes for the purpose of anchoring your word, Linda.

    May 2013 be filled with possibilities (and happiness)!

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  7. Thank you Stacey. I appreciate the comment.

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  8. I keep thinking back to your post about your new house and where it is situated. It sounds so exciting to me...you all the new possibilities. XO

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    1. Yes, I think I'll be so much closer to certain wonderful things. Thanks for remembering!

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  9. I love it! "Possibilities" is a great word. Our whole life is filled with the possibilities, and it's our job to decide which ones to tackle.

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    1. Thanks-isn't it fun! I believe it is quite a good word for me this year. Thanks Maria!

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  10. Even though this is your OLW for 2013, you have already experienced many new possibilities in your life. I, too, look forward to reading more of your possibilities.

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    1. Thank you Judy. I will try to open myself to as many possibilities as I can this year. Everyone is such a support.

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  11. Your post just made me smile. I love the quotes and need to add them to my quote collection. Here's to possibilities.

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    1. Thanks Julie. There are so many wonderful quotes aren't there. I can't stop with putting them on stickies!

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  12. Can't wait to read more about you discovering these new possibilities this year!

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  13. Linda, what a perfect word for you at this point in your life. I love it! I can't wait to read more of the possibilities in your life.

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    1. Thank you. Hopefully there will be some surprises too.

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  14. What a great word, Linda! I love the "archaic" definition too! It feels inspiring and encouraging -- a mix of hopefulness and pushing you to be your best. I'm also struggling to get past words that are already part of my personality, as you did with flexible... but then I want to do something attainable, not out of my reach! I'm still deciding.

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    1. So glad that you understand, Jennifer. There are those words that are just a part of us, & they won't work. This one seems fitting for now, & I believe that's what we should look for. Thanks!

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  15. I "believe" your word is perfect and your possibilities are endless!

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    1. And I "believe" we will have a good time this year, Tammy, won't we?

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  16. What a great word for the year! I love the potential the word holds all by itself. I also LOVE the way you showed how the word had been used by others.

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    1. Thanks Anita-it's going to be fun to immerse myself in this, I think.

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  17. "I dwell in possibility." What a beautiful thought from Emily Dickinson. I think you've chosen well this year. Possibility. I look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store for you. Best, b

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    1. Hi b, so great to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by, & I hope you posted. I'm interested to see how you are doing.

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  18. With your attitude the year is bound to go well!

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  19. Possibilities. It is playful word, an open word, a word that speaks of growth and wonder, an invitation free of obligation--a word that fits you well.

    I liked reading how you considered other words, and especially that you were careful to choose a word that would help you reach. Sometimes I wonder how others seem to find just the right word and I forget the process of working other words around before discovering the 'just right' word is more natural than I realize.

    Here's a great 2013!

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    1. Thanks Christy. It's nice to hear your thoughts. It's been a long day-again-& I'm just now getting online.

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  20. Not just a good one...a GREAT one!

    Here's to a year of possibilities!!

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