One Little Word 2009 & Giveaways
I am so excited to embark on a new word for 2009.
My word is nurture.
For me, especially with a new baby on the way within the next month or so, I have been thinking a lot about nurturing. It's such a soft, slow, gentle word.
There are many things in my life I would like to focus on nurturing this coming year. Our new baby girl. Simon and the transition to big brotherhood. My relationship with Chris. Photography. Patience. My business & this blog.
I am also going to be conscious of nurturing myself during this time of major transition in our lives.
There is something very special about this word for me. It represents slowing down, simplifying, and pinpointing what is really important to me in my life (not just the next 365 days). I am nervous and excited and so looking forward to what is to come.
The idea behind the one little word concept is to give yourself something to focus on throughout the year. As I stated in my newsletter back in January 2007, "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."
Also from that same newsletter:
Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want
for yourself in 2009?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a
thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or
plural. The key is to find something that has personal
meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your
spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR
word.
One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow
yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing
that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into
your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now.
Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often
found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways.
Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready
for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.
I can't wait to see all the words for 2009.
To celebrate the new year I have three very special giveaways - all directly related to this project. Two beautiful pieces of jewelry and one piece of art to celebrate your word.
Lisa Leonard Designs
Giveaway: One custom Word of the Year Necklace
Special for AE readers: 20% off Word of the Year necklaces with the code "myword" at checkout
Meet Lisa | Shop Lisa
Liz Lamoreux Soul Mantra Pendants
Giveaway : One custom Soul Mantra Pendant any size or design
Special for AE readers : 20% off Soul Mantra necklaces throughout January. Enter code "one word 2009" in the notes to seller and the discount will be refunded to you through Paypal.
Meet Liz | Shop Liz
Stephanie from Homegrown Hospitality
Giveaway: One 4x6 black or white frame with hand drawn doodle in color pallet of your choice. The doodle can include "The Word" or "A Name" and a favorite quote, verse or scripture.
Special for AE readers: Stephanie is donating $5 from the sale of each doodle to Autism Speaks.
Meet & Shop Stephanie
To be entered into the drawing today please leave a comment with your word for 2009. It's totally fine if you are still thinking about it - if that's the case just leave a comment with some of your intentions for this new year. Comments will be closed on Thursday, January 1st at noon Pacific with the winners posted shortly after.
A safe and Happy New Year to each and every one of you.
I never chosen a "word" before, but I think 2009 will be the year for me to SIMPLIFY. I need to bring different areas of my life down a notch to a more simple approach and simple solutions.
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My word for 2009 is "new" (having recently come into existence; having been seen, used, or known for a short time; beginning as the resumption or repetition of a previous act or thing; made or become fresh)
I have also claimed a scripture to go with my word: "And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!' And then he said to me, 'Write this down for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.' And he also said, 'It is finished! I am the Alpha and Omega-the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings and I will be their God, and they will be my children." Rev 21:5-7 NLT
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I'm so excited about "one word" this year! I was fascinated by this last year & after weeks of contemplating, last year's word was "Believe", Little did I know how much it would impact my world! This year, I'm still up in the air thinking that perhaps "Live" might be it, or possibly, "attention". . as in giving more to all areas of my life, specifically, family relationships which sadly, sometimes don't get enough attention.
Happy New Year!!
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I see others have also chosen my word "LEARN" for 2009. Isn't it a fabulous word?? I think so, especially for the year in which I am turning 50! Until I decided to "learn 50 things in the year I turn 50" I was really not looking forward to the birthday until I found this word. Now I'm so excited!
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I feel my word should be OBSERVE, most of the time I feel like I'm always the one doing the planning and executing that I don't to enjoy the little things, and this year I want to be the one observing. Observing my growing daughter, my 91 year old "Grama", my parents, husband, etc. etc.
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Cool give away Ali! My word for 2009 is Simplify.... I want to simplify all aspects of my life, from my home to my work. This will help me remain clutter free and with that comes a feeling of freedom. So SIMPLIFY is my word for this year. Thanks for doing this again...love it.
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I'm still trying to decide on a word. I really want to choose patience but I thought I could be more clever than that. But in reality that is what I need to work on most.
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My word this year is COMPLETE. I can look at this word in two ways...I need to COMPLETE all these projects that I've started, and I have enough stuff, enough love, enough confidence to feel my life is COMPLETE. I feel like I'm getting more bang for my buck! One word, two meanings. Lets roll, 2009!
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I must say I don't have a word yet. But I will have one before the 1st is over. I do have some intentions for 2009 - some are simple like learning to knit and learning more about digital scrapbooking. Others are more family oriented like doing more meal planning for my family and planning one night a week to be family night. I want my life to have purpose and focus and 2009 - hey, maybe I just came up with my word...
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My word for 2009 is CREATE. This year I am going to CREATE my own opportunities. CREATE my own art. CREATE my own happiness.
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Well...I really feel like God has been telling me lately to be prepared for anything. So I think my word for 2009 is going to be PREPARE. I have a feeling there are going to be A LOT of changes in 2009...both good and bad and I want to be prepared, I'm ready to prepare!!
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I loved doing this last year. My 2008 word was Joy but unfortunately my year became a year of just survival. Becasue of this my goal and my word for 2009 is to:
Regenerate
1 : formed or created again
2 : spiritually reborn or converted
3 : restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state
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My word is content. The quote you have posted explains exactly how I feel. My husband and I have set a goal for us to attack our debt this year. I want us as a family to feel satisfied with what we have and to really see the blessings God has given us.
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My 2009 word is "ME" I am determined to start taking time for myself, getting in more pics, creating for myself, taking care of myself and so on. Sounds selfish...probably...but it is my chosen word and I'm sticking to it LOL!:)
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Like many others, I am not sure yet. Here are the words in the running ...
Accomplish or Achieve
Balance
"Live, Laugh, Love"
Pray
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I've actually been thinking of this for some time and the one word that kept popping into my head was structure. I think it compliments my word for 2008 which was balance and it really describes what I need in my life. So, my word for 2009 is structure. Thank you for your inspiration Ali.
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mine is "essential". i want to focus on the essential things: my family, home and business.
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SWEETEN. I'm thinking about how I can sweeten the lives of those around me by who I am.
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My word for 2009 is "Adventure"...my dh and I are moving many states away from my family in the next week-we have no family where we are going-we have no jobs where we are going-just a rented home (which we haven't seen yet!) with a signed agreement for one year so adventure is my word of the year!
I'm trying not to use words like 'nervous' or 'scared' or 'worried' to describe what is happening to us-I'm trying to think of this as an adventure-everyone loves adventures-trying something new-stepping out of my comfort zone and experiencing a whole new world.
I feel like I'm just re-lived my life over through all the sorting and packing---deceiding what is important enough to keep and what I can let go of-mind you I'm letting go of things not the memories behind the things-I feel like I've shedded lots of excess 'weight'...I feel lighter and more energized for my adventure-I'm thinking of it as going backpacking--->you have to pack light and only take what you absolutely need so your pack isn't too heavy to carry and on this adventure, I don't want my pack too heavy to carry!
This note has been very theraputic for me-to get it down in black and white and reflect on this craziness happening in my life right now-this adventure---thank you, Ali!!! (everytime I think of my word, I'll be grateful to you for prodding me to pick one!)
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I'm still thinking ... but "strength" is floating to the top of the pile. I need strength -- to tackle my food obsession and handle my cravings, to be willing to obtain a different life style, to (potentially) find a new job, to do rather than sit and think about doing.
Oh ... maybe that is the word ??? "Do"
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My word is HOPE. My son has type 1 diabetes and I am looking forward to researchers finding a cure so someday he can look back and say, "I used to have diabetes." Hope keeps us looking forward, focusing on the positive. Thanks for your inspiring words.
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My word for the upcoming year is CHANGE. This is something that is always difficult for me, but there are a lot of changes in store for me in 2009. I hope to handle them all with courage and grace.
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My word is "Health", although it seems that every New Years Health is a common word. I would like to make it more than the first two weeks of focusing on it. I would love to run and to just enjoy overall "Health".
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Right now I'm thinking my word will be CONTENT. In today's day and age, it seems like it is a rare thing to find a truly content person. Satisfied with what they have, wanting nothing more, and if more comes along, it is a refreshing and sweet bonus. I also like the word simplify since I feel I need a bit of that more in my life, but along with paring things down, my ultimate goal would be to feel as content as possible.
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
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My word is going to be "SMILE." In watching videos of myself lately, I realize that even though I feel happy inside, I'm not smiling on the outside. I hate seeing myself looking sad or depressed (although I did struggle with that for the majority of 08). I've made a real effort to tell myself to smile in the last 3 months, and that's going to be my word for 2009. I will smile. I will let the happiness and contentment that I'm feeling on the inside show to others. It's not a secret, but something to share.
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