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 for 2009 will be COURAGE. Courage to start a new career. Courage to be myself and accept that is enough. Courage to let go of my worries.
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I don't have my word yet, but since my goals for the new year including starting my son in a VE Pre-K class (he's 3) and going back to work, I am going to need a word to keep me really focused.
So far I'm thinking of the word PEACE as it is applied in the quote, "Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." - because life doesn't seem to slow down, KWIM?
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your entire family,
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Ali, you've been such an inspiration to me for the past few years, thank YOU! My word for 2008 was POTENTIAL and I'm going to keep that for 2009 too. I LOVE that word and it's helped me so much to refocus and become the person I know that I can be. :)
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My word for 2009 is "peace" Peace within myself, family, work, and life in general. I think if more people had peace in their lives, the world would be a better place.
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FOCUS I didn't pick it, it picked me. How can you go against that!? I have used this word in the last couple of scrapbook pages recently. So I will claim Focus. I want to focus on what is important (family, friends) and have a clear goal, an objective for myself. I need to quit floundering, stay the course, and just get things done.
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My word is Happy. I have a busy life and I am very goal oriented. Sometimes I feel like in the rush to "get it all done" I miss some opportunities to giggle more. I have a son who is seven and I want him to look back and remember a happy mom-not a mom who was stressed out and grouchy.
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My word for 2009 is "peace" Peace within myself, family, work, and life in general. I think if more people had peace in their lives, the world would be a better place.
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Hi Ali -
I am continuing what started for me last month while putting together your family gratitude spinner project - "Gratitude" summed up best for me by this quote by Albert Schweitzer:
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
Thank you and Happy New Year to you and yours!
Ivy
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This is my first year picking a word. I typically write out long lists of resolutions. Not this year. I tried to pick one word and couldn't. I've narrowed it down to three. SIMPLIFY, SERVE and HEALTH. All have very significant purpose to me right now so I will go with three! Sorry to break the rules a little bit!
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Hi Ali! I think my word for the year is "Content".
Just being at peace with where I am and what I am.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Karen
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Balance. While my husband was unemployed, my main focus was in growing my business at the expense of my roles as wife, mother, friend, and family member. Now that my husband is thankfully well employed again, I'm trying to reign everything back in to strike a balance in our life. I want to pay back the gratitude I feel for our change in fortune by having balance in all the elements of our life. I will not miss 2009 the way I missed 2008!
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After tossing a few words around, I have finally decided on CHANGE. And I mean the type of change that I am responsible for.
Thank you for your inspiration Ali :)
Kristine S.
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'Cherish' is definitely my focal point for the upcoming year. I love this word because it is so peaceful.
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My word for this year is 'simplify'...I need to slow down, say no, and purge, purge, purge. A person gets so much 'stuff.' I find I am much happier when there is less going on.
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My word of the year? Absolutely, definitely, without a doubt would be LEARN. Stepping out of my teens and early twenties (a time of 'I know everything there is to know about life'), I've embraced and actually fallen in love with the realization that I'll be 'learning' about life and how to live it for the rest of my years. I have a one 1/2 y/o son and another little guy on the way in Feb and I've specifically learned about selfessness, loving and serving... and I know I'll continue to learn more about that.
Great blog and contest idea!!
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My word for 2009 is ENJOY. I want to slow down and enjoy our daily life- the everyday events and the big events. I want to enjoy hanging out with my 3rd grade son and helping him with homework- not just rushing thru so we can get on to the next thing. This is such an amazing time, and I really want to ENJOY and not sweat the small stuff!!
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Grow. That is my word.
his year I have so many plans and goals...so much growing to do. As a person, as a daughter of God, as a mom, my photography business, my knowledge...all of it.
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COMPLETE.....I want to focus on completing what I start, so many undone things weigh on my mind.....
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Hi Ali,
My word is going to be "SAVE".
Save the memories.
Save time.
Save money--to pay off the debt.
Save me!
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cherish! cherish the time with my husband and baby... and really savor this time when she is a baby... it's going by fast!
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The first word that popped into my head when thinking about this was "me". I don't mean "me" in a narccistic, selfish way. I tend to put everyone else and their needs first before mine and my own needs can get pushed aside, such as going to the gym, doing my grocery shopping, getting a load of laundry done, etc. In 2009, I have to remember to keep my needs in mind and that's it's okay to say no to someone or something once in a while and use that time for myself.
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Ali, I have actually chosen two interconnected words for 2009: "acceptance" and "non-reactivity." I have spent most of 2008 learning about how to live a happier, more inspired life, and the most important thing that I learned is to not resist what just is, but to accept whatever situation you may find yourself in, good or bad, and go forward from there with an understanding that this moment will pass, but that all we ever have is this moment in time. I want to continue to focus on this idea, but I also want to be more aware of my reactions to things. Often we react from a place of ego, and our reactions can often overshadow the moment we're in or even change it in a negative way. I would like to be able to take life as it comes without instantly telling myself (and others) that it should be different or that I don't want it to change. I want to interact with people and with my life from a place of peace and calm, awareness and acceptance. I think focusing on these goals can make 2009 the best year ever, no matter what may come my way.
I wish you all the joy in the world with your new little girl. I am very excited for you!
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My word actually came quite easily. Not that it will be easy to follow through on, however. My word for 2009 is GIVE. I am trying to make some big changes in my life and I decided this is where I should start.
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2008 had been such a rough year for me. Other than to have a happier and much healthier year, I can't think of a word that would express all that I really want it to at this point. I need to do some real searching to find the perfect word.........until then though........I will continue to read all of the comments because what inspiration they truly are!!!! They just make your heart and soul smile and feel so warm. I hope ALL of everything for everyone everyday!! Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to win such beautiful things!
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Hi Ali
Love your word. I am a teacher, wife & mom so I love the term nurture, it is my job description I think.
My word for this year is: Presence: the state of being present; current existence. I want to be present in my life this year. No more spending so much time worrying about the future or living in the past. My kids are growing up before my eyes & I want to be present for that.
Laura
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