My One Word for 2011

As you know I was initially a bit little apprehensive about this. Mainly because I know 2011 is going to be a year of change in my life and I didn't want to 'jinx it' the "wrong" way... Change is good, necessary even, it's just that I'd like to, if I can, skip any detours that a 'wrong' word would lead me on. ;)

Not sure if I should mention the words that came to me that I didn't choose...? Well, there was a few before the 'right one' hit me. :) The first words were of the type that I was concerned about...from an emotional origin rather than one of progress and growth... (wondering if I'm making too big of a deal about this!)

The word I chose I've been 'tasting' for the better part of the week, thinking about what it means to me and what I'd like for it to bring. Its versatility really appealed to me. Its content is both emotional, physical and spiritual.
This is my word for 2011:


Light - Illuminated (aglow, bright, clear, radiant)
- Not heavy (agile, graceful, slender)
- Content (mild. moderate, modest)
- Simple, easy (effortless, smooth)
- Funny, cheery (lighthearted)
- Luminescence from sun or other source (glimmer, glow, shine)
(read more on http://www.yourdictionary.com/light )
In bold you have what the word Light means to me, what I want to focus on and what I hope it'll to bring in the coming year.

Here's for a Light(er) 2011!

Can't wait to read Cora's word...! :) My Friday arrives a bit sooner than hers and I wanted to post this before the weekend "madness" began. :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
(or more correctly TONIGHT)

Outside my window... Snow, snow and a freezing wind.

I am thinking... if I've chosen the "right" word for my One Word "challenge" and wondering what Cora's word will be. :)

I am thankful for... my healthy, recently quite trying, children and Life with its trials and glorious moments.

From the learning rooms (if this applies)... not sure what "the learning rooms" mean but I'll interpret it as "lesson's learnt today" and a quote from Albert Einstein sums up todays lesson learnt perfectly. "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

From the kitchen... sound of the dishwasher and the shine of the christmas lights in the window.

I am wearing... my lounge-about-sweats, a pink tee with white polka dots and my grey wooly slippers.

I am creating... Chaos?

I am going... to try and get through.

I am reading... Reality and radiance: The life and autobiographical works of Emilia Fogelklou (in Swedish) by Emilia Fogelklou

I am hoping... I get through and do so without regret.

I am hearing... the children finally fast asleep and (I think) an airplane (or is it a car?) in the distance, the kettle boiling for my evening cup of tea.

Around the house... our semi-organised chaos. Toys, lego and train tracks spread across the floor (I had no energy to get little ones to tidy up before putting them to bed)

One of my favorite things... hearing the little ones sleeping. :) So beautiful, peaceful and innocent...drains me of any lingering frustration after a loooong day.

A few plans for the rest of the week... finish my essay due Friday. Visiting my best friend to view their new house and going to Disney on Ice with kids my mum, sisters and nieces (courtesy of Mum ♥) at the weekend.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

(our front yard)

Joined in on this lovely idea I found on Cora's blog. Original idea found at The Simple Woman's Daybook. :)

John Dewey

Information cropped from Wikipedia.
John Dewey (October 20, 1859 – June 1, 1952) was an American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer. The overriding theme of Dewey's works was his profound belief in democracy, be it in politics, education or communication and journalism.

Dewey continually argued that education and learning are social and interactive processes, and thus the school itself is a social institution through which social reform can and should take place. According to Dewey, the teacher should not be one to stand at the front of the room doling out bits of information to be absorbed by passive students. Instead, the teacher’s role should be that of facilitator and guide.

He was one of the original 34 signees of the first Humanist Manifesto (1933).
Kinda cool in my book. :)

I'm inspired by some of his educational ideas in my own studies to be a teacher and hope that some of his quotes might inspire you too.


"Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination."

"We only think when we are confronted with problems."

"Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes."

"Skepticism: the mark and even the pose of the educated mind."

"The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action."

"Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself."

"The teacher is not in the school to impose certain ideas or to form certain habits in the child, but is there as a member of the community to select the influences which shall affect the child and to assist him in properly responding to these influences."

Letting go...

One Word for 2011?

There's a few, perhaps a lot, of blogs (see Cora, DMG, AliE etc.) writing about using a word to shape, lead and perhaps guide you through the year.

I first read about this over at Cora's blog and my initial reaction was...divided. :) I thought it sounded like a fun, interesting and different idea instead of the usual new years resolutions (that I've never really understood or ever managed to keep! ;)). On the other hand I was a bit hesitant of/if I dared to join in too, 'cause I feel that words are so powerful. If one chooses the 'wrong' word and charges it with all ones possibilities of the coming year it might not be such a fun, interesting and positive but rather negative and...wrong... :/ or...? In just reading through Cora's post I had a handful ok-words-that-could-turn-'bad'...but...I might just be taking it too seriously too...? :)

And! :) Being a lover of words I am intrigued by this idea and also aware that choosing the word must be allowed to take some time. It is the intention you have with the word you choose that determines the outcome...positively or negatively charged... Yes? :)
Cora will give herself, and us who'll join her, a week to think about it. I'll do the same, let the idea settle and then decide if I'll join in and with what word.