an end + a beginning + my word

In between working on projects, still battling this ear infection/cold, getting ready for tonight's festivities, drinking coffee, etc, I cleared off the boards above my computer. I do this every so often and today seemed like a pretty good day to invite something new. I am also changing things up by adding some clipboards on the other wall next to my desk for project organization (inspired by Lotta Jansdotter's studio tour).

A fresh start. A new beginning.

I took everything down, put the things worth keeping in an inspiration notebook, and am now ready for new images, new words, new things to motivate + inspire + help me grow in 2008.

For me, in 2008, I am looking forward to getting to the heart of the matter - whatever that is. Clearing away excesses. Focusing on the most important things and not worrying about the rest. Taking a deep breath and beginning one foot in front of the other.

My word for 2008: vitality.

Vitality is the state of being strong and active; energy. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually. Creatively.

Here's to moving forward. To fullness of life. To you and yours.

If you have decided on a word for the year I would love to read what it is - feel free to share in the comments.

Also: Loved this post over at Photojojo on Photo Resolutions. And I think this is the year I will do a 365 project.

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481 thoughts

  1. Kathy says…
    01/02/2008

    Hi Ali! I've picked one little word for several years now so it was neat to see someone make it a "project". This year, my word is CHOOSE. So often we think nothing is in our control and we have no choices. I believe we CHOOSE. Not everything that happens can be wonderful or fulfilling. I choose to make my life something worth living through my thoughts and actions.

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  2. Penny says…
    01/02/2008

    I would have to say "modernize" would be my word for 2008. Want to bring myself up to speed on technology and advance my knowledge of new interests I've taken on recently; update and revise some of the ways I've been doing routine things over for the last few years and think more outside the box to improve and simplify.

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  3. Sallyfrances says…
    01/02/2008

    My word? EMBRACE... Embrace myself and everything (good & not-so-good)about me, Embrace my husband & my children. EMBRACE LIFE!
    Thanks for all of the inspiration, Ali! Best to you in the new year,
    Sally

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  4. karen says…
    01/02/2008

    Wow! my word is also EMBRACE..I have really been neglecting myself. So I want to slow it down and find the joy in the everyday and "embrace" it....

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  5. kristy says…
    01/02/2008

    i've been thinking about this for the last few weeks, and the word that keeps coming to mind is:
    BE.
    BE happy
    BE proud
    BE myself, an stop worrying about what others think
    BE honest with myself & others
    BE positive
    BE kind
    BE in the moment, and not wish it away for the next
    just BE. live, and go.
    thanks for always inspiring!
    Kristy

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  6. Diana says…
    01/02/2008

    I love reading everyone's "word's". Do I have to only choose 1?
    I think my word is BALANCE. My life has been out of balance the past year, working too much, not enough time on other areas, personal, social, spiritual. I want to be more in balance. I think I will be happier in all aspects of my life if I were more in balance.

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  7. Jess Phillips says…
    01/02/2008

    My word this year is peace:
    freedom of the mind from distraction,
    anxiety; a state of tranquility or
    serenity; silence or stillness.
    As many others put, I would like this word to penetrate all areas of my life and I've written more on my blog at jessbrowsing.blogspot.com . Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful thoughts and creations with us!
    Peace to you all in 2008!
    Jess

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  8. ana roat says…
    01/02/2008

    Hi Ali-
    I shared your post with my husband and we decided that instead of resloutions we would each pick a word and then decide on one as a couple:
    Pete = rejuvination; following a 3 year disability
    Ana = momentum; to accomplish more
    Together = contentment; in all we have no matter how little
    Thanks for the inspiration and much love from our house to yours this New Year!
    ana

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  9. jill says…
    01/02/2008

    Going to add two words...
    FOGIVENESS and OBJECTIVE.
    Forgiveness allows us to regain our personal power.
    To have an objective provides action to what we do.
    Thanks for the constant inspiration.

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  10. jill says…
    01/02/2008

    Going to add two words...
    FOGIVENESS and OBJECTIVE.
    Forgiveness allows us to regain our personal power.
    To have an objective provides action to what we do.
    Thanks for the constant inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Barb N. says…
    01/02/2008

    I decided I needed to be a little old-fashioned in my word choice . . .
    gumption.
    I will have gumption in 2008.

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  12. Sandi says…
    01/02/2008

    My word is IMPLEMENT... to fulfill or carryout. It is time to implement everything that I have been given and know to be true.

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  13. Nicole Schuette says…
    01/02/2008

    My word is DELIGHT. I want to focus on finding as much delight in my life in 2008 as I can. I want to stop and remind myself to delight in the little things: an afternoon at the park with the boys, creating a beautiful page, taking the perfect picture, spending time with my family. Too often I get caught up in what has to be done and miss little moments. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."

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  14. Deena says…
    01/02/2008

    Oh my gosh so many great words. Mine is Rebuild. Rebuilding ideas that I din't get quite right, rebuilding relationships, rebuilding health, finances and on and on.
    It will be a busy year. Many blessings.

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  15. Tess says…
    01/02/2008

    My word this year is QUALITY. I intend to focus on making sure what I spend my time, money, alloted calorie intake, and engery in general on is of QUALITY. This will require some extra effort and a bit more planning but I'm looking forward to living well this year. And, last year's word is still sticking. I think these words may in fact become pillars in my life.

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  16. Deena says…
    01/02/2008

    My word is consciously. It started with Emily Falconbridge's "Consciously Thankful" book. I made one, and vowed to be "consciously thankful" this year. Then, as I was thinking of a word, I realized that I need to be more conscious about my actions, in whatever context. I plan on scrapping a page tonight using the word.

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  17. Michelle says…
    01/02/2008

    I've been pondering it a bit, but I think my word for the year is embrace! I want to do a better job of embracing life, opportunities and even embracing challenges this year! I love your word, too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Kelley Popp says…
    01/02/2008

    Hey Ali, I was really trying to narrow things down to one word but I just couldn't do it, so I broke my word into catagories with Focus being the main word. So I plan to Focus on my Family, my Fitness, my Faith, my Food Choices and my Five K running race completion . See I just can't stick to one thing-I must multi task! LOL. Actually these are all things I want to get better control over in 08.

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  19. Lindsay says…
    01/02/2008

    I really thought this out over the last 2 days and decided that my word is NURTURE.
    This year I hope to:
    NURTURE my toddler son
    NUrTURE my marriage
    NURTURE my spiritual growth
    NURTURE my self
    THANKS for your constant inspiration, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Cate says…
    01/02/2008

    I think my word is going to be SIMPLIFY. It pretty much sums up what I want my year to be like. *S*

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  21. Julie Behm says…
    01/02/2008

    My word last year was Listen - to myself, my heart, to friends and family and most importantly, to God. And from all that listening came my word for 2008 - Artist.
    I finally listened to what my heart and God were telling me... I am an artist. I can no longer run from that deep desire of my heart, but instead, I will pursue it with all I have starting this year. And it's not just limited to my painting and my drawing. I have discovered a great love for cooking this past year and that is as much an art as painting. The way I choose to live my life can be an art as well.
    I am so excited to see where the journey takes me this year. Thank you so much for bringing this idea to so many people. I discovered it from you last year and it is amazing what one little word can bring about in one's life!

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  22. Rolana says…
    01/02/2008

    My word for 2008 is CONFIDENCE because I believe that some of the things that happened in 2007 caused me to lose my confidence in life, people, humanity, but most importantly in myself. I WILL get that back in 2008!

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  23. Ashley says…
    01/02/2008

    I love that you started this. I chose a word for last year and enjoyed the focus that it gave me.
    This year my word is CHOOSE.

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  24. Dawn M. says…
    01/02/2008

    Hey Al! Been thinking about you lately and stoked to see you next month at CKC. It's been a while.
    My word for 2008....LIVE! After losing my Dad this past summer, I've learned life is too short. Like the Tim McGraw song says..."Live like you were dying"! That's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna LIVE, LOVE and be HAPPY in 08!
    See ya soon, chickie!
    Dawn

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  25. Roberta says…
    01/02/2008

    Hi Ali, I love your style and passion for scrapbooking. It seems like it comes natural. The difficulty I have is getting into my scrapbook 'space' physically and mentally. My basement is unfinished, being dark and dreary, so it's hard to get down there to start. Also, my mind is busy with good intentions but no ideas.
    My word for the year is RESPECT - respect for self, others, and the earth.
    Roberta
    Prince Rupert, BC, Canada

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