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 for 2009 is balance... I want to focus on bringing balance to my life, home, work, etc. I always take on too much and have too many activities going while trying to please everyone... so for 2009 BALANCE!
Happy New Year and blessings to you and your family in 2009!
Pam C.
Waco TX
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Grow
I am an adult, but I have so many ways in which I want to grow..., health-wise, spirtually, creatively, meantally, etc. I just want to finish 09 as a person who has grown.
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I love this. I really love the idea of focusing a year into a word and not a resolution. That is the true power of words isn't it?
My one word for 2009 is Persevere. There is a lot of possibility with 2009 and I want to focus on being steady, continual, creative.
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embrace... the moment... people (for who they are not what you want them to be) to be present, focussed... I need to EMBRACE
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My word for 2009 is COZY. I want to make my home and my life more cozy. Cozy means more comfortable, full of friends and pets and less stress.
Happy 2009 Ali!
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My word for 2009 is balance though I do like nurture and after having my first child here on 12-22-08 I hope to balance marriage relationship, baby, home, work, creativity, and training for a marathon. The giveaways are also very lovely. :)
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ACCEPT.
That's the word I've chosen. I need to realize that it is what it is...I cannot change IT, but I can change my way of looking at it. I hope this helps me to grow and mature as a human being.
Happy New Year!
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I have been reading about the "word" project to my family and my husband and 3 young daughters have also selected words. It has been a terrific family activity and sparked a lot of conversation about our dreams and goals. My word is "light" as there are so many different aspects to the word in my life.
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My little word For 2009 is STAND. My word comes from the Song - "Stand" by Rascal Flatts
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Smile: I spent a great deal of last year following my word: Focus. I achieved quite a bit focusing in on my goals. Some I was successful with, others not. Because I spent so much time focusing I think I lost the fun...a dear friend of mine told me to 'laugh' one day. Just laugh...right out the blue she said laugh. The pressure cooker let loose and I laughed and smiled. Nope I didn't go with laugh, I went with the result of the laughter, the thing that stayed on my face for the rest of the day the...SMILE. Everyone around me did it also, we all SMILED.
{v}
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Those are lovely giveaways Ali!
My word is PUSH. Not thinking about you and that baby actually ;) but I need to push myself a little harder - family wise, school wise, exercise, diet... I need to stop slacking and coasting and live up to my potential. It's there, but it's easy to slip behind.
Thanks for the PUSH Ali!
Happy 2009!
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APPRECIATE
Slow down & appreciate everything.
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My word for the new year - CHANGE.
I have some important things I need to do for the new year and the first step to any of them is .....change. Change just one small thing and I'll move toward the bigger changes I need to make in my life.
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My word for 2009 is cherish. This year will hold many challenges for me and I want to have a focus to help me remember what is important; those little things, transient moments we do not pay attention to and should...faith, cherish it with all that you have... Have a wonderful 2009! Lisa in Havasu
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I dwell in Possibility--
A fairer House than Prose--
More numerous of Windows--
Superior--for Doors--
Of Chambers as the Cedars--
Impregnable of Eye--
And for an Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky--
Of Visitors--the fairest--
For Occupation--This--
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise--
the imcomparable Emily Dickinson
Possibility
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My word is probably going to be "BREATHE". Sometimes I get so caught up in life and all that happens so quickly that I need to remind myself to just stop and breathe. I need to take in the moment and know that good or bad this will pass and life will move on.
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I feel that I have always been a pretty positive person, but this last year has taken its toll with job losses and medical issues (my sons eye). I am picking the word "OPTIMISTIC". I need to see the positive in every thing that I think and do, and pass this positive way of thinking to my son.Positive thinking can lead to dreams being realized and bring a better way of life, to anyone who believes in the strength of the power of the mind.
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Happy New Year Ali! My word for 2009 is JOY! I want to make sure we find the joy in each thing we do this year, grumble less and focus on the positive. I want my kids to live a life of JOY every day.
Hope you have a wonderful 2009. Rose in Fredericksburg, VA
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Good morning! I think my word this year is ENJOY. Enjoy what I am doing at the moment, if I don't enjoy it, choose to do something else and enjoy that!
Jennifer
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Hello Ali,
Thanks for the thinking inspiration.
My word for 2009 is MERCY.
mercy-an act of kindness, compassion or favor; a dispostiton to be kind and forgiving; something that gives evidence of divine favor.
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Hi Ali - My word for 2009 is going to be focus. Focus on different things in my life and my family's life. Focus on the little things, not worry about the big things I can't control. Thanks Ali for the inspiration. Happy New Year!
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PATIENCE
My children remind me that I need to be more patient. At home, at work, with them, in my life. I feel this will lead to being more calm overall, with a ripple effect onto others around me.
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I'm still deciding, but leaning towards complete - in two ways- complete the things I start and feel complete in my life. It is so good and I need to feel I am here rather than always thinking I need more.
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My word for 2009 is GOODNESS. 1) the state or quality of being good; 2) moral excellence, virtue; 3) kindly feeling, kindness, generosity; 4) excellence of quality: goodness of workmanship; 5) the best part of anything: essence, strength; 6) a euphemism for God: Thank Goodness!
My emphasis will be on #5: the best part of anything; essence; strength.
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Happy New Year Ali! Love your choice of word. I am picking the word ACCEPT. I tend to overthink things and get all worried and worked up over some of the sillliest things. I find that I function much better if I just "accept" what is happening. I will accept God's hand in my life. I will accept that I cannot control everything. I will accept 2009! Thanks Ali!
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