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. Cheri says…
    12/31/2008

    I don't yet have a word for 2009 but have done a minibook of goals, which includes weight loss, excercise, spending more quality time with my husband and family, reading for pleasure, and many others. I hope it will serve as a constant reminder throughout the next year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. lisa d says…
    12/31/2008

    PATIENCE - something that is very important for me to work on in 2009. i have started jumping to conclusions with my teenager and rather than talking and discussing something, i am way too quick to get angry. my husband and other two children also deserve a mother/wife who is more patient and relaxed about the little stuff.
    Happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Viki says…
    12/31/2008

    Ali you are so inspiring.
    I haven't chosen a word yet, but several are in the running:
    Thrive- to blossom or flourish (all 3 are good)I need to get healthier.
    Nourish-to nurture and feed. (I need to make sure my family is healthy mentally and physically too)
    Possibility...
    Enjoy, I'd like to slow down and Enjoy what I do, what I make, my family.
    and the last on my list
    Zeal.
    Hopefully by midnight I'll have chosen,

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Mary - says…
    12/31/2008

    BELIEVE - 2009
    my word for 2009 is "believe" - i need to believe that anything is possible...
    2008 has just been a really hard year for me in every aspect of my life - i need to "believe" that things will get better for me in 2009.
    thx ali for all of the inspiration, and my you be blessed in 2009!
    happy new year!
    mary -

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. MonicaMcNeill says…
    12/31/2008

    I just about jumped out of my skin when I saw my word in the first giveaway picture. My word is courage and I've spoken about it here. http://withoutfilters.blogspot.com/2008/12/one-little-word.html
    Monica

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Karen says…
    12/31/2008

    My word for 2009 is RENEW. Lots of things in my life are due for a change and renewal.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Karen L says…
    12/31/2008

    Happy New Year! My word will be HOPE - hope for heath and healing for my family.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Poppins says…
    12/31/2008

    Just like last year, my word has chosen me, not the other way around. Last year it was "Adventure", this year "Home" beckons me.
    Home - here, us, tending, nurturing, soothing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Rebecca says…
    12/31/2008

    I am going with Simplify...I need to do this in all areas of my life and I think this word sums it up. I spread myself too thin and never can focus on what matters most.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. ronee says…
    12/31/2008

    Ali:
    i have been thinking about my word for awhile. Last year my word was enough. We "be enough". And i sorta think that i lived my word as best as I could. SO this year, with the same thought process in mind, I will also use nurture. I plan on nurturing every relationship in my life. Being a mother, daughter, wife and friend are all relationships that I need to keep strong! Wish me luck~
    Thanks for doing this again~

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Kristy says…
    12/31/2008

    Breathe.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Linn Woodard says…
    12/31/2008

    You don't know how life changing it was to choose and live by my word of 2008 (listen). It somehow worked its way into so many aspects of my life and was simply powerful. I'm not completely set yet, but I'm pretty sure my 2009 word is PEACE. I'm hoping to focus on being more peaceful myself, and to bring peace to those around me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Pam C says…
    12/31/2008

    My word for 2009 is Moment - I am trying to live in the moment this year. I realy want to do this for myself.
    Happy New Year.
    Pam C

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Carol Stoler says…
    12/31/2008

    My word is DISCOVER and I am really excited about all the possibilities of what this will bring to me for 2009. Thanks for the inspiration Ali. You rock!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sarah says…
    12/31/2008

    I need to think it over a little more but I think my 2009 word will be GROW. I want to grow as a person, make some important changes in how I interact with other people as a grown-up, and I also want to grow my family. If all goes well 2009 will finally be the year we're able to have a baby. I haven't done your New Year word before but I love the idea of having a point of focus for the things I want to accomplish, rather than plain resolutions. What a great way to start the new year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Lydia says…
    12/31/2008

    Hi Ali, I've been thinking about my word for 2009 since before Christmas. I've narrowed it down to about three, but haven't committed to one yet. Last week I was sure it would be FOCUS. Or COURAGE. Last night, PLAY felt right. Hopefully, I'll have some time tonight to write and hear myself think clearly enough to decide. Thank you so much for writing about this on your blog. I chose PEACE for my word last year and it has made a huge difference in how I live with my daily chaos.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Christi P says…
    12/31/2008

    I just started thinking of my word a few days ago so I'm not certain what it will be yet. But a few choices are Dream, Cherish, Endure, Remember, and I really like Nuture as well. I think right now I'm leaning towards Cherish. Just remembering throughout the year to cherish each moment, live in the now and love every minute of it. Plus it ties into my goals to scrapbook regularly this year and cherish the memories!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Karalyn says…
    12/31/2008

    I think my word for 2009 should be CHERISH. I am having a baby in April and want to cherish all the time before the baby comes and will definitely cherish the time after! I also want to cherish time with my husband, parents, family and friends.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. PaperGoddess says…
    12/31/2008

    Happy New Year to you Ali!
    My word for 2009 is RELEASE.
    I (just like you) have a baby girl coming in early February and I need to focus on letting go of things.
    Release the pressure to be the best stay-at-home mom on the block.
    Release the responsibility of being the planner in my group of friends.
    Release all of the books & magazines & craft stuff cluttering up our house.
    Just let it all go....
    Sounds fantastic, no?

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sara K says…
    12/31/2008

    I think my word will be "Adapt". We're likely going to have another move again this spring, and have two kids who tend to become whiny and bothersome at times, but I know if I can adapt to whatever God throws my way, everyone on in my family will be a lot happier, including me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. mindy m. says…
    12/31/2008

    blessed.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Roban says…
    12/31/2008

    Hi Ali,
    No matter what path my brain takes, it leads me back to the word "faith." I have faith in God, but I don't display that faith inwardly. I worry... about everything! If I truly have faith, I must leave everything in God's hands. Then, there's no reason to worry! I also toyed with the word "nurture," because I want to nurture my family more. That led me back to the word "faith." If I have "faith" that I am a nurturing soul, then I will be more nurturing.
    So that's final. My word for 2009 is "faith."
    Happy New Year!
    Roban

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. MaryC says…
    12/31/2008

    My word is re-new. That's what this year will be about since I'm in a transition phase of my life. My kids are grown and no longer need my time as much, my husband is looking at retirement and I need to refocus my life on different things. I need to re-new my life!!!! Thanks for doing this challange, what a great way to start the new year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Eva says…
    12/31/2008

    My word for 2009 is "Possibility". All things are possible with an open mind. Here's to a new year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Suzanne says…
    12/31/2008

    I've loved browsing everyone's words, what inspiration to be found in you and your readers!! My word for the year is going to be STEADFAST. We've had some severe challenges this year that have forced some life changes and tested the strength of our beliefs. I'm using STEADFAST to remind me to be immoveable in the values and goals I hold dear and persevering in the changes required to meet and beat the challenges that have come our way.

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