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 have loved reading about all the words that will inspire people during this year. I love the word NUTURE that Ali chose for herself. it seems very appropriate. My word would have to be BELIEVE. I need to believe that God has a plan for our country. I need to believe that I can handle anything that life throws at me this year. I too have an autistic child and I am constantly concerned for her future.
other than BELIEVE, I hope to SIMPLIFY and reduce the clutter in my life. I want to spend more time creating and sharing with others.
Wishing you the best 2009 has to offer Ali. Congratualtions on your new baby. Celebrating the JOY she will bring to your famly.
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I've decided my word this year is Strengthening. In 07 it was Tranquillity and I can't even remember what I picked last year! (bad, bad!) Strengthening and consolidating my health, my family and my business.
Good luck to you all!
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My word is for 2008 was work and 2009 is passion. Passion for life, passion for art, passion for creativity, passion for achievement.
My passion for all these things drives me in this new year to learn more about new types of art and push myself to be the best artist I can be.
Have a Happy New Year!
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Okay, I figured it out ... Simplicity. Yep, that's it ... wholly focused on God and disregarding the rest. Simplicity. Now, I can breathe with that!
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My word for 2009 is PEACE. This is my goal for the year ... to live at Peace with nothing missing and nothing broken. To go about my life in peace ... such a big word. So excited to start the journey of this year. Thanks for the inspiration ... your word is wonderful this year too! Kim
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Love Love Love this project. Every year it causes me to think, reassess and refocus. Thanks for doing this! After much thought I've decided that my word for 2009 will be intention...to live with intention, that is my goal...to not let life happen to me...to take the initiative and get out of life what I want...to live each day and make each decision with intention, with purpose...these are my goals for 2009 and I'm so excited to emabark on them!!
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***Happy New Year***
Here's to a fabulous way to start fresh and new.
Last year my word was LUCIDITY I wanted to slow down and be at peace. Well about 2 months into the year I realized I had picked the wrong word. I wasn't using the word to it's potiental and I was not giving it my full attention and my life was any but lucid.
I'm going to putout a few words this year, so I can see how they fit. Again I'll try one of my last year's choices
**SPARKLE (for my personality)
and I've added a few more to roll around with it.
** SEMPER (Latin for ALWAYS, for the constant things in my life)
** COMMIT (because I have trouble seeing things through)
** JOURNEY (for new challenges, changes and processess)
I am looking forward to chosing a word real soon. I'll bounce them around today and choose which word wears best on me.
Thanks for this!!!
The best to you always!!
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No final decisions yet, but so far am thinking of Breath, Gratitude, Live Each Day (oops, that's 3).
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Ali,
Thanks for the opportunity to think about a word for 2009. I choose PATIENCE!
I need to remember this woed in all areas of my life.
Have a wonderful 2009 with your growing family. It just flies by. My baby turned 13 on the 29th.
Thanks,
Jenny
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my word for 2009 is INTEND!
and I love it.
and Im SO excited!
beautiful things are happening!
happy happy 2009!
slm
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My 2009 word is going to have to be focus. I feel like 2008 went by in a blur. With a almost three year old and an eight month old and teaching 6th graders, I felt scattered (and scatter-brained). I definitely need to focus on each aspect of my life & not try to think about everything all at once. FOCUS!
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My word for 2009 is Love. I want to love more in 2009 -- unconditionally -- love my children, my husband, my family!
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Happy New Year! This idea is the best ever! Done it for a few years now after getting the inspiration right on your site. Thanks! My word for 2009 will be "calm" - as in taking it easy, getting things together so I will not keep worring about things. Doing things in a pace that will allow me to enjoy them instead of just rushing through. Good luck with your intetention and thanks for helping me find mine!
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This will be my third year with one little word. I didn't do as well with focusing on my word last year but I hope that my word for 2009 will be more of an inspiration. My word for 2009 is LISTEN.
Happy New Year.
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Last year's word came to me instantly...it was ARTISTIC. I think I embraced it. I entered the 2008 CK HOF (didn't win, but that's okay), started my own scrapping blog, was on a design team, finally developed my own signature scrapping style, and fell in love with mixed media.
This year's word just ins't coming to me. Although I think it could be fun to use "Yes" after seeing "Yes Man" last night. I could use something to shake up my life.
In other words...still thinking.
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Create.
Create memories. Create opportunities. Create happiness. Create adventure. Create change (like our new President). And of course, create art.
2009 is going to be a big year for me and I'm determined to make the most of it.
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"Run!" (Trying to get a marathon under my belt in 2009.)
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Hi Ali......
I've never had a word before so this is my first one and THIS - 2009 - is hopefully going to be a good one for me.
Or at least I am going to try to FOCUS on making it a good one.
So - FOCUS it is........
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!
May 2009 be truly amazing for you and your family.
:0)
Maria
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Happy New Year! I'm thinking either "flourish" or "thrive"....leaning toward THRIVE. Not just getting by but really figuring out what I want to be doing and going for it!
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My word for 2009 is MORE! I want MORE of Jesus Christ to show up in me....More of HIM in me, and less of ME! I want ME to get out of HIS way, so HE can work thru me.
Best wishes for the baby!
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My word is "today" because I have resolved to spend more time living in the present.
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GRACE, because I can't do it alone. Grace signifies not only change, but a power, greater than me, that will help me to make the changes that I need. Namely being a better mother, saving more money, and finding the man of my dreams. All made possible through GRACE.
--Char Lee
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My word is PLAY. Not taking things to seriously, experimenting more in my crafty pursuits but with life in general. I can't wait.
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Finally decided - my word of the year is ENRICH. Can't wait to put it into action!
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I just came across your blog last year and I like the one word idea...I've got a rough concept of my intention but I need to process it a bit more I think to be able to define it by one word...thanks for sharing of yourself!
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