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. Veronica Norris says…
    01/03/2008

    My word this year is Create. Kinda boring but it is my year to create a new business opportunity, create a new body, create at least 52 layouts, create wonderful family memories. Create is the word for me this year.
    Have to say that i love this choosing a word for the year, last year my "home" word really worked and unlike years when my resolutions were broken within days, this word concept allowed me to apply it to more aspects of my life making it seem more manageable and workable into day to day life. it gives you something to centre your life on, love this concept, thanks so much Ali!

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  2. kass says…
    01/03/2008

    Dear Ali
    I have spent days thinking about what my word might be and how I might apply it in my mind and life. And I kept coming back to the same thought, that somehow I would like to integrate my word into my final year of studies.
    So my word for 2008 is COLOUR.
    I am obsessed with colour and have always wanted to have a website or something where I could write about colours, their history and meanings, and how they are relevant in my world and the bigger world out there.
    Today, I started doing just that.
    http://kassjane.typepad.com/thecolourblog/
    I hope you might check it out from time to time :)
    Kass

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  3. scrappysue says…
    01/04/2008

    Hi Ali, sending Happy New Year wishes to you and your family over from sunny Dubai!
    My word for this year is FOCUS, which was inspired by a mug the DH bought me for Christmas that says "Photographers always keep things in focus". It occured to me that I don't do this at all (camera or otherwise, LOL!). I am constantly all over the place, never finish anything, obsess, spend too much time on the computer etc etc. Wishing everyone lots of luck with their words! Sue

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  4. nyjlm says…
    01/04/2008

    My word is HOPE.
    I am hopeful that I will learn more about living with anxiety.
    I am hopeful that baby steps will help us to declutter our home.
    I am hopeful that I can enjoy each new day.
    I started thinking about it when you posted about it last week or so. I have already found it so helpful- in stressful situations I can think positively, instead of falling apart. Looking forward to my year of hope.

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  5. Cory says…
    01/04/2008

    I followed along with your word of the day last year, but never picked my own. I loved the idea, and in December decided to pick: ENJOY as my word of the year. I am a person who always plans for the future. I'm always looking ahead, and this year, I want to ENJOY the moments that each day brings. I get married in June, and want to ENJOY each day that leads up to "the big day" and stop planning for the 'after'. Off to go ENJOY today :)

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  6. Karlynn says…
    01/04/2008

    I think my work to going to be BUILD ...

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  7. Rachel says…
    01/04/2008

    My word for the year is ADVENTURE as I am embarking on a year which looks set to make me step out of my comfort zone and try some new things. We as a family are thinking of moving to work in Cambodia! So the first adventure is happening this month when we take 4 children to visit it!
    I also want to make my art and scrapbooking an adventure as I can get into a rut.

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  8. Lorrie M. says…
    01/04/2008

    My 2008 word is ACTION. I have so many lists, so many plans that I never really get finished. Time to get those things off the list, out of the planning phase, and into my completed bank.
    Thank you so much Ali for the sharing the one little word concept. I'm very optimistic that 2008 will be a very action oriented year!

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  9. pati says…
    01/04/2008

    Ali,
    You have been inspiring me since the day you were born! Thank you for being the wonderful and inspiring person you are. I have been very involved in my 2007 "One Word" and have decided to continue the study of PEACE for my 2008 word. I started my Blog in April 2007 sharing the 365 quotes of PEACE that Trisha Daly shared with you. It started me on a quest of learning that continues today. Peace to you and all in 2008.
    Mom
    http://peaceeveryday.blogspot.com/

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  10. Brandy says…
    01/04/2008

    My word is FOCUS. I need to focus on what I want to do in this lifetime and do it. No more "maybe in a few years", I am going to focus and just do it now. No more somedays. Thanks for your inspiration.

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  11. lilith says…
    01/04/2008

    I have been thinking and this year my word has got to be SELF. I need to take care of myself, believe in myself, find the time for myself, etc..
    I have done a lot for other people the last years and now I really feel I should take care of myself a bit more. So SELF it is.

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  12. Jennifer says…
    01/04/2008

    Wow, there are a lot of good words here.
    I've been thinking about create, do, balance, act, organize, focus - really in my mind I think they all relate to the word I have selected: SIMPLIFY.
    Simplify my surroundings and organize, de-clutter and create a harmonious environment (and mind!)
    Simplify by not making things more complicated than they need to be, especially when it comes to creating/preserving memories. Just do it and get it done - less is MORE!
    Simplify by getting to what really matters - life, family, moments, TODAY!
    Simplify! :)
    Thanks, Ali and Happy New Year

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  13. Susi (Dragonfly Dreamer) says…
    01/04/2008

    After struggling to decide between several words, I realized strength will be my word for 2008. I have been beaten down by chronic and debilitating physical pain and crippling depression. Thanks Ali for sharing this ritual with everyone. You are such an inspiration and reading your blog has given me the motivation I need to fight my way back. I want to wish you, Chris and Simon the happiest healthiest year ever!

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  14. mrstjshelby says…
    01/04/2008

    HAPPY.
    That's it. Happy.
    Focus on what's important. Remembering what truly matters. Eliminating the should do's. Simplifying. Being grateful. Being true to myself and my family. Who I (and we) are. And all of this (and more) is just part and parcel of being happy. Me being happy. Doing my best to help my family be happy. And to bring happiness to others.
    Huzzah for a HAPPY 2008.

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  15. Amber says…
    01/04/2008

    I too have chosen the word "Balance". With two small kids, a full-time job (I am a HS teacher and am Advisor of 3 clubs!!), a photography business I am starting, I feel like I am running all the time (and not making time for myself). This is the year that I prioritize and take advantage of the important things in life: my faith, my family, my friends. I was not going to participate, but the word goes right along with my goals for 2008 (I don't make resolutions - I set goals!!). Thanks for the challenge!

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  16. emilyruth says…
    01/04/2008

    i have had a really hard time this year trying to decide...i was going to go with priority but it just doesn't sound right for what i am thinking & i was saying to myself 'you just need to choose something...just choose...come on! choose!' & so it was & is & will be...my word for this year is CHOOSE...choose what's best for my family...what is best for me...what my instinct says...what is the right thing to do...choose it! yes!
    :)

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  17. Rachelle says…
    01/04/2008

    I want my word for 2008 to be "intentional".
    I want to be an intentional mom, wife scrapbooker, sister, daughter(in-law), and so on...being there when others need me, and being constantly aware of those around me + interactions and impacts on them.
    Thanks for all the inspiration you provide Ali!

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  18. Rachelle says…
    01/04/2008

    I want my word for 2008 to be "intentional".
    I want to be an intentional mom, wife scrapbooker, sister, daughter(in-law), and so on...being there when others need me, and being constantly aware of those around me + interactions and impacts on them.
    Thanks for all the inspiration you provide Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. AmyGee says…
    01/04/2008

    While I struggle with the concept of "changing" or "resolving" with the new year (for me, making small resolutions throughout the year seems to work better!) I am intrigued and excited about selecting One Little Word in 2008...
    {PERSPECTIVE}
    gaining it...
    keeping it...
    sharing it...
    I chose a few definitions that spoke to me...
    *the relationship of aspects of a subject to each other and to a whole
    *the state of existing in space before the eye
    *the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship
    I want to cultivate perspective in my relationships, integrate it into my creative life and keep it in whatever endeavors come my way.
    Thank you Ali, for continuing to selflessly share your creativity, your unique perspective and, most of all, yourself.

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  20. Elise says…
    01/04/2008

    Hi, Ali. So glad I found your blog. You and your family are lovely, and doing lovely things with your lives. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me and mine.
    My word for 2008 is HAPPY. Working to recognize all I have that makes me happy. Trying to share that happiness with my children. Striving to make things in my life that aren't happy go away. Creating things and opportunities that do make me happy.
    Your posts also encouraged my family (DH, DD 4yr, DD almost 2 yr) to pick a family word. It is KIND. Working to be kinder to eachother, and others.

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  21. Rena says…
    01/04/2008

    Love this. Simple but means a lot.
    My word for the year is *RICHNESS*. Kind of weird but it means a lot to me. I am not Rich by any means but I have a lot of Richness in my life that I want to focus on.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  22. Mrs. B. says…
    01/04/2008

    I just found your blog and am really enjoying it. :)
    My word? B E A U T Y.

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  23. Trish says…
    01/04/2008

    Is it too late to change my word? LOL....Instead of Commit....accomplish.:)

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  24. Lori L says…
    01/04/2008

    Ali-- your blog is wonderful! And I love the idea of picking a single word for the year. I was stuck on EVOLVE for awhile (my youngest started college this past fall, we moved to another state, turned 40!!, and I left a graphic design job that I had for 6 years). EVOLVE seemed like a good word for me. But then I checked out that jewelry site you posted and saw the word SPARKLE. And that's my word!! I want to be "brilliant, lively, and vivacious!" I want to embrace my age, celebrate being a couple again, and enjoy life.

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  25. Betsy Beers says…
    01/04/2008

    I've been circling around a few different words this past week trying to figure out just exactly which one I want as "my" word for this year. I couldn't decide between grow/focus/strive/intentional/accomplish. They all represent what I wish for my life for this year, I just needed to decide on the one that most strongly hones in on my needs. I chose one word last year (flow) and it totally rocked because I thought about it often and REALLY worked at going with the flow more. All because I chose one little word to focus on! So, this year I decided that ACCOMPLISH is my word. For the past few years, I have had the same goals! It is time to seriously ACCOMPLISH them. No reason I haven't already, I've just had that "I'll start tomorrow" attitude. Now is the time. But not only do I need to accomplish my goals, I also want to keep on top of my daily life game. I want to get the laundry done, folded, AND put away. I want to stay up on the cleaning. I want to stay organized with the bills and finances. I want to ACCOMPLISH more with my time.
    Thanks, Ali!

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