an end + a beginning + my word

In between working on projects, still battling this ear infection/cold, getting ready for tonight's festivities, drinking coffee, etc, I cleared off the boards above my computer. I do this every so often and today seemed like a pretty good day to invite something new. I am also changing things up by adding some clipboards on the other wall next to my desk for project organization (inspired by Lotta Jansdotter's studio tour).

A fresh start. A new beginning.

I took everything down, put the things worth keeping in an inspiration notebook, and am now ready for new images, new words, new things to motivate + inspire + help me grow in 2008.

For me, in 2008, I am looking forward to getting to the heart of the matter - whatever that is. Clearing away excesses. Focusing on the most important things and not worrying about the rest. Taking a deep breath and beginning one foot in front of the other.

My word for 2008: vitality.

Vitality is the state of being strong and active; energy. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. Creatively.

Here's to moving forward. To fullness of life. To you and yours.

If you have decided on a word for the year I would love to read what it is - feel free to share in the comments.

Also: Loved this post over at Photojojo on Photo Resolutions. And I think this is the year I will do a 365 project.

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481 thoughts

  1. Erin says…
    12/31/2007

    Love this concept Ali, my word for the year is kindness.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. suzanne says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for 2008 is perseverance. (did I spell that right?) I want to persevere in my new endeavors. I don't want to be a quitter. I want to SUCCEED!
    I am SO ready for 2008! Bring it ON!!!
    :)
    We love you Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Katie says…
    12/31/2007

    two words actually ... but they compliment one another.
    My mantra for 2008 is: {breathe & be}
    breathe and be in the moment
    breathe and be true to myself
    breathe and be aware of the world
    breathe and be ... :)

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  4. Chris says…
    12/31/2007

    my word for 2008 is SIMPLIFY. I have been thinking about my word for the last month and have come decided that I need to simplify and enjoy life more. I plan on getting rid of things that cause me stress and take up valuable space in my life, in my thoughts and in my home. I am looking forward to 2008 and enjoying life more.
    Have a happy new year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jamie says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for last year was RISK, and I took a lot of them. I also made a lot of changes.
    I realized that the reason I had to make such big changes in my life is because I just kept going with the flow of things without really being aware of the choices I was making (or exploring alternatives to them).
    So, my word for 2008 is MINDFULNESS.
    I want to be aware of my present state more frequently. I want to pay more attention to what I choose in life and ask myself "why" more often.
    Thanks for the inspiration! Happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Cate - purplecrazymum says…
    12/31/2007

    Since I first heard about "one little word" a week ago (I must have been hiding under a rock for the last couple of years ~lol~), I haven't been able to get past PLAY
    So that's my word... play with the kids more, play with hubby more, play with my stash more.

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  7. Cate - purplecrazymum says…
    12/31/2007

    Since I first heard about "one little word" a week ago (I must have been hiding under a rock for the last couple of years ~lol~), I haven't been able to get past PLAY
    So that's my word... play with the kids more, play with hubby more, play with my stash more.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. The Writer Mama says…
    12/31/2007

    Vitality. I love it. And it could be a good one for me. I had three infections, one flu, and goodness knows how many colds in 2007.
    Still pondering the one word for 2008. Will keep you posted. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Leigh-Ann says…
    12/31/2007

    Hi Ali :)
    Last year, my word was GROW. It reminded me many times to challenge myself beyond the "enough" and push towards Growth. It was the perfect word for 2007.
    In November, my husband left me. Just one day, he said 'I'm leaving'. Grow could probably be an applicable carry over word into 2008. But I love change...and decided that I need my word to be DANCE. Dance is so freeing, celebratory, loose, unencumbered, and FUN! I literally dance like Elaine Bennice from Seinfeld...so it won't be pretty. But I know that it will be a reminder to celebrate, let go, do something new and to have fun :)
    My mom gave me a necklace for Christmas that says 'Dance like nobodies watching' and thats exactly what i'm going to do! It's a NEW YEAR!!!
    With love,
    Leigh-Ann
    FreckledNest.com

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  10. Michele says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for 2008 is "simplicity". I found I always over stress about holidays and things in my life I can not change. In 2008 I would like to just take the life bumps in stride and learn something from them, not stress so much about them and why they happen.
    Happy New Year!

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  11. Amy K in FL says…
    12/31/2007

    Hey Ali...as always, you are a great inspiration to us all. Love this one word idea...after much thought, I've decided on RESOLVE.
    I have to RESOLVE some personal issues this year.
    I need RESOLVE to lose weight and to keep going to work out and eat healthy.
    I need to RESOLVE what I really want to do with my life.
    Am hoping to accomplish all this in 2008. Thanks for your support. Best wishes to you and yours in the new year.
    Amy K in FL

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  12. melanie says…
    12/31/2007

    thank you for all you have done to nurture my creative soul this year. i love the clearing of the boards. and your new word is very powerful.
    my word is PURSUE
    to be active and go after what I want
    pursue peace
    pursue patience
    pursue health
    pursue knowledge
    pursue...
    have a wonderful new year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. camport says…
    12/31/2007

    I made a whole heap of friends from your word of the year thing last year. You just wouldn't even believe the happiness one little word has brought me during this past year. Seriously...it's amazing.
    This year, my word is going to be "witness." I have a bunch of different reasons why, but that is the one I keep coming back to.
    Thanks for this idea.
    :)

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  14. Nadia says…
    12/31/2007

    OK! I read your blog and then read through the comments and was stuck for quite a while. I kept looking up definitions and I finally found it! My word for 2008 is LIVE! As Bon Jovi says "It's now or never, I ain't gonna LIVE forever, I just wanna LIVE while I'm alive, it's my life!". Yay! Thanks Ali! My word last year was BOLD and boy oh boy was I BOLD! LOL! Thanks for always sharing and inspiring!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Heather says…
    12/31/2007

    While I have made a whole list of goals for the new year and things I wish to accomplish, and I could come up with a few different words to follow...I have chose to use LIVE as my word for 2008.
    We have already made a commitment to ourselves to save more, and get more healthy for the new year. One thing we put on the back burner when we are running around and going back and forth to work is the part of us living the once life we get. Hubby and I have both made another commitment to LIVE each day and expierence new things together.
    Thanks for posting this and the links to Photojojo. Great way to start 2008!! I was thinking of starting a 365 project. I have a new camera and I really need to learn how to use it.
    I also have to thank you for the info on the printer that you use. My husband surprised me with one for christmas and I love it. Such freedom for me because I used to order my pictures online and wait for them to get here. I sooo dont have the patients to do that. This printer really helps!
    Hus and Happy New Year!
    Heather V

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  16. Susan says…
    12/31/2007

    my word for 2008 is DO. i am such a procrastinator and have so many unfinished projects. i think i'll have to put a big sign up on my wall (after i paint it ;) happy new year's to you and your family.

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  17. Stefanie Hamilton says…
    12/31/2007

    Hi Ali, my favorite quote right now is this: A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back -- but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you.
    - Marian Wright Edelman
    So my one word for 2008 is SERVICE. Service to others is my plan for 2008. I truly believe that in serving the needs of the truly needy, we fulfill ourselves.
    Happy New Year!

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  18. Erin Glee says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for the New Year of 2008 is RELEASE. I joined a "Spa"(sounds more fun than "Gym") last month with the goal of "releasing" extra, unwanted pounds...well, that didn't quite work as planned, but maybe I didn't gain a few more pounds that I would have to release in 2008.
    I RELEASE the past. I RELEASE tension. I RELEASE worry. I RELEASE clutter. I RELEASE body fat. I RELEASE Depression.
    Everyone have a Happy New Year's Celebration, whatever you are doing-and keep safe-Here's to a GREAT 2008 for all of us!
    Thank you for all your inspiration, Ali. I love to follow your blog. You are sort of an idol or a Mentor to me. I hope to take a class from you some day!
    Peace and Love,
    Erin : )

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  19. susan opel says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for 2008 is DARE. I need to DARE myself to try some new things, to get outside my comfort zone, to be a better me.

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  20. karen says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for 2008 is JOURNEY. It's so I can remember that life is not about the destination but it's about the journey and it's crucial to enjoy every moment and not put off life to "when i reach my destination."
    I decided to use mine as an art journal this year so you can see the cover, here: http://www.karenika.com/individual/journey_an_art_journal.html
    and I will be using sections from the Tao Te Ching to remind myself so here's my first page: http://www.karenika.com/individual/slow_down_art_journal.html
    Thank you for the inspiration Ali, may 2008 be a fantastic year full of vitality for you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Kori says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for 2008 is SIMPLIFY. I want to simplify what I buy, what I keep, what I do, and simplify our family's schedule to only include the most important things that bring us joy.

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  22. Brianna says…
    12/31/2007

    The word for this year is LOVE.

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  23. Beth says…
    12/31/2007

    I threw around several different words.. when I came to the one I chose. PAUSE. I am so in need of this word. I need to slow down. Enjoy being, instead of "doing, going, all the time... constant motion". I'm really going to work hard this year to slow down and enjoy life. Thank you for the gift of one word. I regretted last year not doing it, and am so on board this year for it.

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  24. Jennifer says…
    12/31/2007

    My word for 2008 is FLOW, as in "go with the..." Moving with intention in body, mind and spirit WITH the flow instead of trying to CREATE the flow. A silly business really, thinking we can create flow when it already exists to guide and sustain us along the journey. So 2008 is about letting go, trusting the flow, simply listening to breath upon breath and releasing myself to the flow of energy that is.

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  25. Patricia says…
    12/31/2007

    Several words kept popping up: time, family, moments, simplify, rest. But in the end, I chose humility. Wrote a little bit about it on my blog. Blessings, P.

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