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'm not sure what my word will be yet, but I hope to practice more patience in 2009. I also would like to stop to appreciate the little things in my life that matter so much.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
My word is also ***NURTURE***!
I have a lot of aspects of my life that will need this wonderful word. Hopefully this year.....I will have the chance to nurture a baby as well. We sure hope so!!
Happy New Year,
Terri
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali I have decided on 'Enjoy' as my word for 2009. I wasn't really sure what my word was going to be for the year but I was tidying some things away the other day and found a stamp of the word enjoy.
I'm not sure when I got the stamp but the word 'Enjoy' stuck in my head. I want to 'Enjoy' next year in as many ways as posssible. In my home, family, creative and work lives.
I also like how the word joy makes up part of my word, almost two for one!
Sara x
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Perfect timing for this post. I have been very reflective this past few days thinking bout 2009 and all the things I want/need to change.
I think my word has to be 'live'.
2008 was full of change, disruption, not so nice surprises, and a whole lot more and I feel I lived life on auto-pilot without appreciating life itself. I just let it pass by really. Not 2009 though. :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is "joy" this year. It's the main focus of my overall theme which is "choosing joy & being real." :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am leaning toward the word "patient." I like how it forces me to slow down. Take things as they come. It would also help me with letting others do things at their own speed and pace. With a 3 year old, I need to be more patient with her---esp. during her time of seeking independence in everything we do.
Thanks Ali, for sharing your word and world with us!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is "commitment". I have some areas in my life that I want to change and will need to commit to in order to be successful in changing. They range from setting aside more scrapbooking time to finally succeeding at losing weight and all the baggage that comes with it!
Happy New Year Ali!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
i'm still trying to decide what word to use, but ones i've narrowed it down to are balance, dream and move. in many aspects of my life i could use each of these so it's going to be hard to decide which one.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is COMMIT--to finally carry through with those resolutions I make every year. I will make fewer but will work to carry through with them this year--focusing on wellness and photography.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is CHANGE. I am going to change our personal budget, a new change in home (Jan 09), and change the way I think about goals that once seemed impossible. Thanks!
Amanda
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Happy NY to you and your family!
My word is 'Enjoy'..don't sweat the little stuff and just enjoy life! :D
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 is WORTH. It's gonna be a good year!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is "thrive." I went through an icky divorce in 2008 where my word was "survive." I'm moving beyond survival to thriving.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My eight year old granddaughter picked my word for me a couple of months ago. We write stories together, play Barbies, and I am always encouraging her to use her imagination when she can't think of anything to do. So she insisted that my word for the year should be "Imagine"
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is GRATITUDE ... I have lots to be grateful for with my hubby and beautiful daughter and family and friends ... even when life throws those little (and big) frustrations my way. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is peace. I tend to be a little high-strung and OCD on being on-time and organized. I want to slow down and not put too much pressure on my kids. I want to find time for me to relax. PEACE.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
My word for '09 is balance. I need that. Balance in my life. Home. Work. Me. Keller. Balance, instead of one jumbled mess that I felt so much of 2008 was. Thank you for your encouragement this year. As I put things in balance in 2009, I know it will be a great year!
Kim
Sign in or sign up to comment.
This is such a wonderful concept! I actually blogged about Stephanie's doodle and the One Little Word concept today so I could share it with my family and friends. It's so easy to do and can make a huge impact on the coming year. I have made a list of possible words but haven't chosen one yet. My favorites so far are explore, give, journey, moment, and savor. :-)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Faith is my word for 2009.
Faith that everything is going to work out the way God has it planned.
Faith that I can handle it when it does.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love the word nurture! My word for the year is brighten. My attitude, my days, my photos. I need to remember to let the light show me what it has.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word is GROW. There are so many aspects in our life that we are planning to grow in 2009...our house savings so we can move to a single family home with a yard (in a townhouse now with a 3 yr old!), growing more in church life, work life, perhaps expand our family...
So much potential for 2009.
Thanks for the opportunity to win! Happy New Year, Ali.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'm thinking of the word: boundaries
How they keep me safe so I can fully live as God wants me to live...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
My word for 2009 will either be INTENTIONAL or FOCUS or PERSEVERANCE. I really need to focus on some key areas in my life in the coming year. Happy New Year, Ali!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'm still thinking . . . but I think engage or embrace or the like might be my word!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Embrace....It is going to be a wonderful way for me to continue to work on my word from last year, fulfill.
Sign in or sign up to comment.