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.
My word this year is disentangle...I want to unwind my life and slow down!! I want to live a more gratitude filled life and enjoy what we have and all our little moments. I want to let go of the expectations of others and do what is best for me and my family. I want this year to be the year that I focus on what is most important in life, my family and God.
Happy New Year!!
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ACCOMPLISH. I want to accomplish so much more in my own life as well as my family's life in 2009. There is a good possibility we will need to move whereever my husband's job may take us. So there is alot of planning and alot to accomplish in anticipation of our big transition in 2009. Happy New Year!
Michele
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Love reading everyone's words. My word for this year really needs to be FOCUS, but I love the word NURTURE, can I have two words?
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Hi Ali! My word for 2008 was Patience. I wish I had done better with it though... For 2009, I have not yet decided. I am thinking of Simplfy though. I know my family will be affected by the rough economy and I need a word to help me get us thru it - so I am working on one.
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Intention
Live with intention not by chance.
That jewelry looks gorgeous, Ali.
Nurture is an appropriate word for your new year.
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I'm still working on my word - my word has usually come to me easily but this year it's harder to zero in on 'one little word'. I want to be present more, I want to be happy more, I want to be more creative and more willing to try new things. I want to have a peaceful heart.
Thanks for always pushing me in the best of ways, Ali. Thank you!
A.
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Great word, Ali!
My word for 2009 is CONNECT. I have felt a real disconnect in my life lately-like I'm not fully present in my own life; like I've lost a bit of myself. I want to CONNECT with my own life, with my children, and the people in my life; have a real sense of being and meaning. Happy 2009!!
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My word for 2009 is CHANGE. I want to look at the things in my life and CHANGE what isn't working in 2009.
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I have so much I want to do and be in 2009 after a very difficult 2008. I needed something to focus that drive and now I have that thank-you! My word for the year is HARMONY: the quality of forming a consistent and pleasing whole.
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My word is create!
Thanks for your inspiration!
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Hi Ali
My word for 2009 is "LOVE".. Wishing you and your family a fantastic 2009
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My word is DO. Time to stop thinking about doing and actually . . . reach my goals.
Thanks for the inspiration!
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I haven't nailed mine yet. I have three that I am pondering.
It will be one of these: HOPE, GRACE, or TRUST.
Different reasons for each to be considered.
Happy 2009, Ali!
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My word for 09 is going to be HAPPY. I feel like I have put aside some of my happiness this past year, and I want to make sure that I don't forget about myself in the coming year!
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My 2009 word is calm. This past year has been anything but calm, and I want to really focus on slowing down and truly enjoying my life in 09.
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Ali- Happy New Year. My word is gratitude. Being grateful for a wonderful Husband, a great Son, who is meeting and overcoming many of the challenges of Asperger's Syndrome and a wonderful Mother who is fighting Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She taught each of her children how to live and now she still teaches us many lessons with how she copes with her illness. Life with all its ups and downs is something to cherish and be grateful for. I have a full heart. May 2009 be a happy and healthy year for us all.
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My word for 2009 is DEVOTE. I want to devote time to my husband, my son, myself, my scrapbooking.... I always try to do too much, and this year I want to devote myself and my time to the things that really matter in life.
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Ali, I love your word! It really seems to suit you and your life right now. I think you chose well.
My word for 2009 is going to be GROW. I am working on getting some projects going to help me grow in knowledge, awareness, and in my faith. I am also about to GROW older. I am turning 50 on Friday and it is really making me think about my life-where I am and where I have been--and I want to do some "me" scrapbooking projects this year. Seriously documenting my story and our life as it is now.
Thanks for the great give-aways!!
Happy New Year,
Dana
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Dear Ali,
I've been thinking in my word during the last days, and also thinking about how I will organize my "tribute" to it.
The word I've chosen is Memory, because in next year 2009 I'm going to write my story and,at the same time, the story of my loved ones. I usually forget everything, so for me is the moment to open my "Memory year".
Happy New Year and my Best Whises to your family.
Maica
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Wow, this is my first time thinking about a word for the upcoming year. I have it narrowed down to :
Accomplish
Simplify
Intentional
Focus
Oddly enough the acronym AS IF! All sort of related in that in order to accomplish what I want to this year I will need to simplify and live life with an intentional focus on what really matters.
Ali, the best of blessings to you and your family for the New Year and thank you so much for the inspiration you've given me.
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Hi Ali!
My word for this year is gratitude. I want to focus more on the blessings in my life.
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My word is nurture as well! It's an integral part of our mission statement at the School of the Arts where I am the artistic director and I had this word as my word two years ago. I think it deserves another turn.
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happy new year Ali!!!
hope you are feeling great with the baby on the way!!! my word for 2009 will likely be "motivate". as my resolution is one of taking better care of myself, and to make deadlines...all my resolutions revolve around keeping motivated...
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My word for this year is healing. I want to find physical healing (I have been diagnosed with LD and RA), and I want to promote healing in relationships and peoples lives that I am involved in.
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My word for 2008 started as ACCOMPLISH but quickly changed to BE; it seemed more appropriate to try to get happy with myself as I am, than try to reach for something new.
Having mostly achieved my goal of 2008, I am choosing APPRECIATE as my word of 2009. It's something that I recently realised I was not doing enough. I'm going to try and APPRECIATE what I have and what others around me provide to my life more.
All the best to you and your family for 2009, Ali. I think it's going to be a very exciting year for you!
Nina
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