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 is ADAPT. This past year has been a tremendous struggle. So many changes, most very difficult. I want to learn to adapt and embrace the change, to make it a learning experience, and a chance to grow stronger.
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Determination:3 a: the act of deciding definitely and firmly ; also : the result of such an act of decision b: firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end
I'm determined to make this my year. To focus on making me a better spiritual and physical person. I'm determined to achieve the goals I set for myself.
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I am still thinking about this, but the first word that came to mind is BELIEVE. My daughter was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and this word has many meanings for the year ahead.
Thanks, Ali.
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Joy. I feel i have been missing joy in my life for the past year and i'm ready to enjoy life again.
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My word for 2009 is PERSPECTIVE. As in trying to look at things from other people's perspective - trying to consider things from a new or different angle
PERSPECTIVE
–noun
1. the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship: You have to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.
2. the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship: Your data is admirably detailed but it lacks perspective.
3. a mental view or prospect
Lynn
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My word is "innovate". To think creatively in all situations. To see things in a different way and find new solutions to problems.
Thank you so much for sharing your life with us and Happy 2009!
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I'm leaning towards "Flexible". I will need a reminder to stay flexible as we are relocating to another state. Though maybe "Stay Calm" would work just as well and I like the way it sounds better... Though I guess technically that's two words. I just know that this year will be stressful on my family and on my kids and I want to bring as much calm and peace to the table as I can muster as to help smooth the transition for everyone. Our future holds many more unanswered questions than I ever anticipated. We thought we'd retire here where we are now. Circumstances majorly changed and now we find ourselves crossing state borders, leaving all our family behind, not to mention all of our friends...
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I have been thinking on this for awhile. I just have this feeling that God has a greater "purpose" for me in this life and I am not acting on it. I will seek(listen, pray) what it is that He wants me to achieve this year. So PURPOSE is what my word will be.
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serenity
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I'm struggling with my word. Reading through the comments there are so many wonderful, wonderful words. Two words came to mind - enjoy and breathe. I'm a worrier and I think I let this take my enjoyment out of many things. Maybe enjoy will be the word for me. Love your word Ali.
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I believe my word will be 'purpose'. I want everything I do to have purpose. I don't want to get bogged down in the mundane things of this world. I want to live with purpose.
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embrace
My husband has been recently diagnosed with MS and so I need to embrace him, be embraced, and accept and embrace this new reality.
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My word for 2009 will be COURAGE. "Knowledge Talks, Wisdom Listens. Courage Dares." I need some kind of courage to push myself to do something different with my life and explore something new.
Have a wonderful Happy New Year!!
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Ali,
Thanks so much for doing this again. My word for the year last year was "intentional", and it really stuck with me all year. It did help me focus on what I wanted from my life.
This year I have decided my word will be resolve. I need to have it in many areas of my life. Thanks for the push to do this again!
Oh, and I love your word, nurture. Perfect for your upcoming year I think.
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My word is Patience.
For so many reasons! I just need to remind myself that things will happen if I am patient.
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I've been thinking about this for a while, and my word for 2009 is going to be BALANCE - to find a better balance with my work, family time, and personal time. I need to find a rhythm and not feel as if there isn't time to just be.
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My word is GIVE. Give more quality time to my children and husband. Give/donate more things to charity and those less fortunate than us. Give more of my scrapbook stash I am hoarding to those who will use them. Give more time to scrapbooking the important stuff. Give more to myself.
Thanks for the inspiration :)
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Ali,
I like the idea of having a word for the New Year. As I want to find myself a new job in 2009 and I sometimes, well...only sometimes at night think, that I won´t find a new one (thoughts like: Why should anyone give me a job?) my personal word for 2009 is "affirmative".
I will find a new job, because I am good qualified and I am good in my job. And I will leave my current job, because on the long run it is not the right job for me. My 2009-word will keep me on track and I am looking forward to 2009!
Happy New Year to all of you and thank you, Ali, for your blog filled with creative inspirations.
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My word for 2009 is COMMUNICATE: Express my thoughts and feelings - Communicate my happiness - Give to others - Communicate by creating.
Happy New Year Ali!
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My word for 2009 is Organize. I know, not really all that soulful. More of a practical focus. But I know that clutter and chaos confound me and make me a little nuts, depleting my creative energy. Anyone else ever gone into apoplexy because you can't find that one photo or one piece of memorabilia to include on a page?
Yeah. That ends with 2009, and not just in the scrapbooking arena. I told my husband, "tie down anything you don't want me to throw away or rearrange!" : ) I'm on a mission, people.
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Last week's sermon at church was all about peace. Do not worry, work on your relationship with God for God's peace, so my word is PEACE. I'm a worrier by nature and need to work on not worrying! :) Thanks for all your inspiration throughout the year. Good luck to you with the new baby, and good health to you four in 2009!
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My word for 2009 is "flourish". This fits where I'm at in my life because I'm going back to college at 37 years old to pursue my dream of becoming a Kindergarten teacher. I'm teaching Sunday School (Kindergarten boys) for the first time ever and focus on keeping my friends motivated to do better for themselves in whatever situation they are in. I keep my mother (widowed two years ago) positive for the future and look for the best in everything. Best wishes to all for 2009.
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I went back and forth on this one because everyone has such great words and reasons for using them. But I ended up picking the very first word that came to mind.
ENJOY
Because I am one of those people that loves planning, lists, organizing...then I find myself moving on to the next project without sitting back and enjoying what I accomplished. It also applies to all the other areas in my life - enjoy my time with my kids and all the things they do, enjoy my husband, enjoy my home (instead of seeing all the things I would change about it or hoping for a bigger one), enjoy my day to day.
Great idea - thanks for the inspiration
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Happy New Year Ali!
Thank you for all the work you do to help me see how to embrace life. My word this year is EMBRACE!
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my word for 2009 will be CULTIVATE
enrich situation; give special attention; nurture, take care of; To prepare (soil) for the planting and raising of crops; To promote and sustain the development of.
i am looking forward to cultivating a garden in the spring, growing vegetables to eat, starting my compost bin, cultivating new talents, new relationships, new skills!
i think 2009 will be a great year!
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