One Little Word 2009 & Giveaways

Nurture


I am so excited to embark on a new word for 2009.


My word is nurture.


Nurturedefinition


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.


Dottedline


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.


Dottedline


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.


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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


Word_necklaces_without_dark_corners


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


Serve_others


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.

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1940 thoughts

  1. Paula says…
    01/01/2009

    I would have to say that the word that comes to mind for me is SIMPLIFY. I tend to go overboard on everything only to realize tht things coudl have been much simpler.
    Paula
    New Mexico

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Thao says…
    01/01/2009

    Can I plagiarize the word nurtuture? It sums up perfectly. My twins are set to arrive some time in March and I want to nurture them. In addition, I want to nurture my scrapbooking to develop my skills.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Alice says…
    01/01/2009

    There is much to be learned from reading the comments to your challenge!! Very interesting! My word is "change" ~ so many things to be changed ~ also part of a saying I pass on to others ~ BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE ~ thank you so much for the inspiration ~ and a wonderful 2009 to you and your growing family!
    Alice

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Teresa says…
    01/01/2009

    My word is joy. I have worked hard to find joy in 2008 and am going to experience it in 2009.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Betsy says…
    01/01/2009

    My word for 2009 is CELEBRATE! I want to celebrate everything that life has to offer. I am a proud Breast Cancer survivor and can't think of a better word for the year!
    Betsy

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Claudia Azucar-White says…
    01/01/2009

    Good Morning and Happy New Year from Sunny California.
    This is my first year picking a word and I already have such a good feeling about the New Year.
    My word is "Simplicity:Lack of complication: Clearness" That's how I want this year to be, clear and uncomplicated.
    I also made my hubby pick a word. He thought it was a great idea and he promised he would keep it close to him so that he would put it in use any time. His word is "Balance : A state of equilibrium" I think the whole world could use this word. It would be so wonderful.
    Thanks
    Claudia

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Nancy says…
    01/01/2009

    I just started thinking about this, so I'm not super sure, but I think my word for 2009 is "lucky".... I am so lucky to have such a wonderful life.
    Nancy

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Claudia says…
    01/01/2009

    My one word for 2009: be CONTENT. This past year brought about some major challenges, we left our home and changed countries to live out a dream. It may not be quite working out, but in the experience and chaos of it all I want to find contentment. A peacefulness in what IS, not in what might be.
    Thank you for the inspiration, every day, to keep up this wonderful hobby and to be more aware each and every day. A very happy new year to you and your family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Erin Bassett says…
    01/01/2009

    I'm toying with....
    TRUST,
    HOPE,
    SIMPLIFY

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Sandie Herron says…
    01/01/2009

    My word is nurture as well!!! I found a greeting card with a couple flowers on the front and the word nurture. That is exactly what I plan on this year. We've just completed the major part of a 2-year renovation of our home (you can see it all on my blog), the death of one of our cats, the adoption of two kittens, illness of two other cats, and my many, many chronic illnesses. I haven't acknowledged until now (and I'm still processing) how very ill I am. I have to take better care of myself and find balance between work and play. I've put that greeting card in my big walk-in closet where I journal everyday so I'll remember it. Wow, that's so cool we have the same word. BTW, congratulations on the pregnancy. I didn't know! Best wishes for the delivery.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Suzanne says…
    01/01/2009

    *CREATE*
    Last year I participated with you and was stunned to find how such a simple concept could be so encouraging. Thanks Ali. And congratulations all around....
    Suzanne from Denver

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Annette says…
    01/01/2009

    So many wonderfully inspiring words. My word is: ENJOY. I need to enjoy life as it comes, no matter what I'm doing, enjoy it. I went through chemo most of last year and I learned a lot about what is important in life. Right now I want most of all to enjoy it to the fullest.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Ilona says…
    01/01/2009

    still thinking about mine but I know I want to live more in the moment, not always trying to "get through" things. I tend to keep wanting to check things off my list (birthday party, school party, girl scouts, bake, etc) and not enjoy it while it is happening.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Dylan says…
    01/01/2009

    I just graduated from college and am not sure what the new year has in store for me. My word for 2009 is "seek." I want to through caution to the wind, seek out new experiences and use them to grow as a person.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Brittany says…
    01/01/2009

    My word for the year is "Choices."
    I want to stand by my choices this year and realize that everything in my life is a result of certain choices I have made. It's about taking responsibility for my own life and future by paying attention to all of the choices - little and big - that I make each day.
    Happy 2009!

    Reply 0 Replies

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