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. Abby says…
    01/01/2008

    Cheers to a New Year to you & yours! My word is CELEBRATE. Reflecting on the past year, -- which was a challenging one for our family -- my husband and I both really need to slow down & take each day as it comes...and be fortunate about each day that we live. Celebration of our family and everything we do gives me goose-bumps just thinking about it. Really looking forward to making 2008 a very fulfilling year!
    Cheers!!!!

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  2. Robin K. says…
    01/01/2008

    The word I've selected for 2008 is PROGRESS. I've selected it for both of its forms:
    PROGRESS
    Noun - 1: an expedition or journey
    2: a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal): advance
    3: gradual betterment; especially: the progressive development of humankind;
    in progress : going on : occurring
    Intransitive verb - 1 : to move forward : proceed
    2 : to develop to a higher, better, or more advanced stage
    I'm hoping it will help motivate me to progress in my journey of making art, but also to make progress on tasks at home and work that are hanging over my head and that I'm unmotivated to complete.

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  3. Wendy says…
    01/01/2008

    My work: Decide
    Last year I did not pick a word because I could not decide on one! I am very indecisive and I am tired of it. This year I will make decisions quickly. No more missing out on things because I can't decide!

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  4. Beverly says…
    01/01/2008

    My word for this year is INTENT. I feel like I've been just going through life doing one thing to get to the next, instead of experiencing and enjoying the process.

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  5. Martha says…
    01/01/2008

    This blog has always been so inspiring. I just enjoy it so very much.
    After much consideration, my word for 2008 will also be FOCUS.
    Thanks for inspiring me on an almost daily basis, Ali!
    Happy New Year!

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  6. daniellemarieclaire says…
    01/01/2008

    Hi Ali,
    I take this opportunity to tell you how much I enjoy your blog, your philosophy of life which has a lot of similarities with mine, and I just love your new book and your column in CK !
    I was thinking of my word last night. I have lived with the word SIMPLICITY for the past 2 years and have 90% integrated it in my life to the point that it is second nature to me most of the time. I will continue to live with it until fully integrated.
    This morning, upon waking up, my word for 2008 came to me : CONFIANCE (in french) which translated in English is either-or CONFIDENCE or TRUST (couldn't really decide by the dictionary's definitions what distinguish one word from the other).
    CONFIDENCE
    - in the Universe
    - in my intuition and instincts
    - in my abilities
    That means, among other things, good bye to fears of all kinds (judment, not being enough-not having done enough, doubts, incomprehension, etc), good bye to assuming this or that without having lived those particular situations.
    I love your word "Vitality". Looking forward to reading more about it on your blog.
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful year 2008, filled with love, joy, health and creativity.
    Danielle

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  7. rani Shah says…
    01/01/2008

    Happy New Year! Love the word vitality! My chosen word this year is CULTIVATE. I'm also doing the 365 photo project!!! Best wishes to you and yours!!!

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  8. Lexie says…
    01/01/2008

    I've been thinking about my 1 little word for 2008 for the last couple of days and a lot of options came to my mind but so far...not 1 feels good.
    But after reading all the suggestions, well there it is: LOVE
    Love myself, love the moment, love simple life, love my friends, love everything this year and my life will be great!
    from holland with love,

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  9. Rinda says…
    01/01/2008

    Hi Ali,
    My word for 2008 is flow. I want to go along with my creative flow and arrange my life to be serene enough to flow, rather than dart about!
    My word for 2007 was open, and I used it quite a bit. In 2007, I was open to new ideas. In 2008, I want to be moving with those new ideas; thus, "flow."
    Rinda

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  10. Lisa Stinnette says…
    01/01/2008

    EMBRACE
    That's my word for the year. Besides the obvious, it means "to take up especially readily or gladly" and to "avail oneself of the opportunity to study further".
    In my life, I find that I am so hurried or distracted or resistant or so deep in managing the situation that I miss the moment...the lesson...the chance to embrace the moment rather than just edure it.
    Thanks for the inspiration, Ali.

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  11. tracey says…
    01/01/2008

    I think my word for this year will be ORGANISE... I want to organise my life, physically (de clutter the house for 1), mentally (de clutter some mental baggage that I really don't need any more), organise my craft space as it stops the flow... going with the OHIO rules mentioned on here last year.. only handle it once.

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  12. Teresa says…
    01/01/2008

    Hi Ali -- Happy New Year to you and your family. And thanks so much for all the inspiration you provide.
    My word for the year is STRONG. It means that I am strong enough to achieve my other goals, strong enough to do the things I believe in...strong enough to express myself...strong enough to withstand negativity from others...strong enough to be me!
    Thanks!

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  13. Sharon Bennett says…
    01/01/2008

    My word is "Create" Because I always say I will create an art project or a journal and I get busy and they never develop. So this year is the year I Create.

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  14. Debbie L. says…
    01/01/2008

    My word for 2008 is MODERATION. That is something that I find hard to do sometimes, especially with food. Now that I have put it in writing I have committed myself to it. Thank you, Ali.

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  15. Nancy says…
    01/01/2008

    I thought about this as midnight approached...my word for 2008 is SABBATICAL. I have worked in ministry for the past 12+ years, before I was married, before I had kids...two stepsons and two birth sons. My youngest begins kindergarten in the Fall. I feel that if I don't intentionally take a break, I will just continue on in the same mode, taking on more and more since I will no longer have a little one at home. It's time to take a breather. I wish to spend more time at home, decorating my house, putting away laundry, scrapbooking, prusuing my creativity for myself and not just to serve others, being more present to my family. Writing it down here makes it real (I've been saying it out loud to close friends for months now.) 2008...I'm on SABBATICAL! WooHoo!

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  16. Jen says…
    01/01/2008

    Just posted about my "word" for 2008 after reading about this at Mt. Hope Chronicles. My word is "Haven". Seeking God first as my haven, encouraging my family to do the same, making my relationships with others a haven for them, and making my home a haven for my family and others. I love this idea and look forward to reading more!

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  17. Carol (ScrapMomOf2) says…
    01/01/2008

    I think my word will be ENJOY! No matter what I'm doing, I'm going to try to enjoy it! I want to enjoy what I create, I want to enjoy posting to my blog, I want to ENJOY every single day with my family! I want to enjoy my life! Happy New Year!

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  18. EmmaJ says…
    01/01/2008

    First I love Lotta's things and it was cool to see a few of the pieces I own in that video. I knew nothing about her so thanks for sharing.
    My word for the year is NEW. So many new things happened to me at the end of last year that this year will be totally new. I have also picked a quote that will be my motto, "Change is the process by which the future invades our lives" ~Alvin Toffler
    I am so excited to try and achieve my goals for this year and to become a new and better me!

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  19. Missy says…
    01/01/2008

    My one word that I need to repeat over and over this year is BREATHE! I get caught up in the stress and hoopla of everyday life with the kids, my job, and owning our own business and sometimes I forget to stop and just breathe. Simply breathing will help alleviate some of the unnecessary stress that I allow to eat away at me so much that I can't sleep. Not all stress is avoidable but I have to learn to let some of it go! Anyway that's my word and if I could wash it off at anytime I wanted I would tattoo across my wrist the word BREATHE as a constant reminder.
    Have a great day everyone!

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  20. Laura says…
    01/01/2008

    My word for this year is POSITIVE! I have found over the past year that both my husband and I and it seems to be transferring to our kids is our negative words/thoughts. So last night we toasted to a POSITIVE ATTITUDE in both words and deeds. We can make our world better simply by the way with think!

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  21. Cheryl says…
    01/01/2008

    Gratitude is my word of the Year. Here's a link to my blog, describing my reasons:
    http://insidethebubble.typepad.com/my_weblog/
    Thanks, Ali, for your inspiration! Happy New Year!

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  22. Kristine says…
    01/01/2008

    My word for 2008 is EMBRACE. I also borrowed on your idea from the 2006 studio A column archives. I created a tin mini-intentions book focused on the word embrace. Thank you. A great project to begin my life art for 2008.

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  23. bombaygirl says…
    01/01/2008

    My word is LISTEN. I have to stop and listen to my children when they tug at me, listen to my husband when he talks (instead of forming my response and trying to stay one step ahead), listen to my needs, LISTEN. Thanks, Ali, for giving my days structure.
    I'm going to do the 365 day project too.

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  24. Tna says…
    01/01/2008

    happy new year, ali...my word for 2008 is BEHOLD...to realize the importance of what and who i have...BEHOLD the blessings that are given to me and be able to realize why these were given to me, for a reason...

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  25. Tammy M. says…
    01/01/2008

    My word for this year is SIMPLIFY...this is the year I try my best to make things simple, get organized and take a hold of my life instead of it taking hold of me. Bring on 2008!

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