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.
PEACE - I want it to be my state of mind.
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I think my word will be UNLOAD. I have a lot of emotions I let accumulate as well as physical/material items. I'm ready to clean out my house as well as my mind and heart and start with a clean slate! Happy New Year!
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I am borrowing your word for the upcoming year.
I had already decided that this year (09) I would focus on me. Taking care of me, learning new things, focusing on some thing I want to focus on just because I want to focus on them.
Of course since I am a mom I will also be nurturing my children. I'm a wife so it will be a year of nurturing my marriage.
The word Nurture makes me think of home which fits in with my craft goals for the year too. Making some knit and crochet throws to have in my home. Learning to quilt, and working on my families scrapbooks.
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I have so much to be grateful this year, that is my word: Gratitude!
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My word for 2009 would be: STRENGTH.
STRENGTH for the guidance of my two childeren. The eldest going to high school in 2009 and the youngest being Autistic and in need of lots of guidance.
STRENGTH in supporting my husband with his new job and all the challenges that comes along with it.
STRENGTH in continuing in doing well in my own job.
STRENGTH for keeping the family together during everybodys own busy lives.
STRENGTH in finally loosing the necessary pounds to become healthy again.
Ali, Have a wonderful and fantastic 2009!
hugs,
Nellie
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Still thinking about my word. I have a lot of changes coming my way in 2009...getting married, buying my first house, finishing school, and more.
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Well, last year's word got kinda lost in the shuffle, but this year's word is going to be put around a bit more prominently. My word this year is "NEW"
I find myself stuck in habits of thinking, of treating every day like every other day, of rehashing things that happened yesterday or last week or last month... and it's gotten to the point that I really feel it interfering with my enjoyment of the here and now.
So my word is "new," to remind myself that every single second is a new second, that's never happened before, and that every single event or thought or happening is new and different, and I should be cherishing everything that comes my way as a NEW and different experience!
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my word for 2009 is... PRIORITIZE !!! thanks for the chance at any of these giveaways! Erin :)
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Hi Ali,
My 2009 word is CAPTURE.
I want to work on capturing more of life and documenting it. Slowing down and listening, digesting, and learning from my experiences.
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I think I've decided my word to be Simplify. I have a lot of unfinished projects waiting--both creative and around the house. I'd like to finish those before starting anything new. They feel like they're hanging over my head just waiting but I really would like to finish them. I guess my word could be finish too but I feel like once I do, my life will be cleaner and easier and more simple...I'd also like to simplify my life and my house as in getting rid of some stuff and focusing on what's really important and what I really need or want before I bring anything else home.
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Although I haven't decided I think "patience" will be my word for 2009. With a son who is 15 years old I need to make more of an effort in this department.
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Simplicity. Simplicity in all that I do. I need to stop making things so complicated. I need to get back to what is real and true.
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Simplify is my word for 2009. I tend to go overboard on a lot of things/areas in my life. I'm going to work on Simplifying that.
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My word is FEARLESS. Fear keeps me from doing certain things I want to do: fear of failure, fear of looking stupid, fear of making a mistake or being wrong. I want to write more for my blog, to write a book about autism, and to try getting some of my essays published. Fear is holding me back. 2009 is my year to overthrow fear.
Thanks, Ali, for sharing this idea through your blog and giving us all something to think about and focus on for ourselves. You nurture a lot of people through your blog and books.
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I LOVE this idea. I've been thinking about it a lot to get ready to "live" it starting tomorrow. My word for the year is going to be EnRiCh. I have a lot that I can offer and I want to enrich others lives- especially my sons.
Lori
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Hi Ali! Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!
My word for 2009 is Believe. Believing in myself...in others...in hope...in faith...and in love.
Peace to everyone!
laura =)
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I haven't quite decided, but I am leaning towards the word TRY. There are so many things that I have avoided doing, either because I am afraid of failure, afraid it won't be perfect, afraid I'll be rejected, or just think it will take more work than I really want to put into it. Like submitting to scrapbook magazines, trying to sell some of my creations locally and on etsy, learning to knit and take better photos, etc. I really want this to be a year where I try harder to do the things I really want to do, no matter what may come of it. Thanks for getting me to think about this.
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idle! I have to stop and just be so that I can regroup and I don't make time for it. So...'idle' it is!
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I have been thinking about this for some time, considering the things I've had to go through this year, and things I am looking forward to trying next year. I must admit that for all the challenges I've undergone, I've been a little on the skeptical side, a little timid, a little uncertain. So, for my word for 2009, I would like to DARE. To dare to go where I've never been before.. to go off my own beaten path. To DARE to see things the way I've never seen them before. To DARE to be brave, with my daughter, with my husband, and with my life in general. DARE to try new things. And I am looking forward to it. A new year with new challenges.
I like your word. Nurture seems to be appropriately beautiful and I'm looking forward to seeing your year ahead in beautiful words and pictures, as always.
Thank you for this year 'together' in blogworld and Happy New Year to you and yours.
My most favourite project that I 'shared' with you in the scrapbooking world has been your Travel Album with Cocoa Daisy. Tricia and you really did well with that and it will be cherished in my home for years to come.
Thank you Ali!
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beautiful stuff! i haven't pinned down my word yet...still working on it.
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Actualize ... to make real or concrete; give reality or substance to. This is my word for 2009. I want to make real my creative longings and my personal longings for the person I desire becoming.
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My word for 2009 is PAUSE
{vicki}
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I have 2 words that are resonating with me, courage and relationships. I'll need to process this a little longer. Thanks for the inspiration.
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I'm still contemplating my word for 2009. On the list of possibilities...
- Possibility
- Simplify
- Create
The leader right now is "Simplify". Too much STUFF in my house; I also tend to make things more complicated than they need to be. Even my scrapping has been cluttered lately, scale back, use less.
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My word for this year is 'explore.' I want to push myself to try new things, to expand my horizons a bit. To see new places, try new techniques, to work outside my comfort zone and become a more skilled artist. I don't know where this journey will take me - but it's really not about the end result, it's about the trip itself.
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